The showdown by the opposition on 11 September in rallies against Essebsi’s proposed economic and reconciliation bill, under consideration in the parliament, seemed to have compelled Caid Essebsi to go back to the drawing board and take into consideration the opposition’s demands. The government considers the bill a necessary measure in order to re-boost the economy and attract investment. On the other hand, the opposition sees it as merely a measure to allow corrupt businessmen under the former Ben Ali regime to normalise their ill acquired fortunes and escape accountability that would result from the work of the Truth and Justice Committee. The leftist Popular Front of Hama Hamami fiercely opposes the economic reconciliation bill, but in addition so does a coalition of other centrist and civil society organisations of different ideological backgrounds including Ben Jafaar’s liberal Atakatul Party. Ennahdha, however, is struggling to reconcile its duties as a minority stakeholder in the government with its accountability toward its restless youth base. Rachaed Ghanaoushi said last week that the proposed bill should not contradict the transitional justice imperatives for the success of political transition in Tunisia.
Links for more information:
Ennahdha: Oui à la réconciliation économique sous conditions
RELATIONS BETWEEN MUSLIM COMMUNITIES WITH DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS REFERENCES /
RELATIONS ENTRE LES COMMUNAUTÉS MUSULMANES DE DIFFÉRENTES AFFILIATIONS RELIGIEUSES
