Tunisian Ennahda faces political rejection, fails to form coalition government

Mohamed Abdel Ghaffar

Despite that Tunisian politician and co-founder of Ennahdha Party lost the first presidential election round, his party will be the largest party in Tunisia’s new parliament with 52 seats.

Chairman of Ennahda Movement’s Shura Council Abdelkarim Harouni said during the 32nd session of the council meeting, held in Hammamet, Tunisia, on Saturday, October 19, 2019, his party insists on appointing one of its members for the premiership, considering the subject “non-negotiable.”

Harouni said his movement has postponed announcing the candidate’s name “pending further consultations.”

In order to do so, however, Ennahda needs to communicate and consult with various parties, officially being officially mandated by Tunisian President Kais Saied.

All parties refused to respond to the initial contacts from Ennahda, and refused to participate in the next government. The Heart of Tunisia and the Free Constitutional parties issued early statements announcing their refusal to participate in the new government.

The Heart of Tunisia party received 38 seats and the Free Constitutional Party won 17 seats.

The two parties said that they completely refuse any communication with Ennahda to form the government because of its “association with organizations and individuals related to terrorist crimes around the world.”

The parties further called on all parties to struggle to uncover the file of political assassinations and slaughter of soldiers under the Troika era and beyond.

Heart of Tunisia leader Hatem Al Maliki reaffirmed that his party will not enter a coalition with Ennahda. In a radio show conversation, Maliki blamed Ennahda for the country’s ailing political, economic and social conditions.

Zouhaier Maghzaoui secretary-general of People’s Movement, also said in a statement that his party will not join the ensuing government that will be set by the Ennahdha.

“Ennahdha movement failed in power and will fail again,” he said, pointing out that the future work of the government will be easier and more efficient if it is formed by the President himself, as he has the support of the people.

Maghzaoui further asserted that his party remains open to all national forces to establish a plan that can satisfy the ambitions of the people and the necessities of the current nationwide situation.

According to political analyst Abdul Rahman Zghalami, Ennahdha faces great difficulties, especially after the refusal of all parties to cooperate with them, while facing pressure from national organizations such as the National Union of Labor, which wants the formation of the government to be finalized quickly.

He also pointed out that the threat of re-election aims to terrorize parties that won seats in the parliament to push them into agreeing lest they lose seats.