Tunisia ends political crisis

Tunisia’s ruling party and opposition groups on Saturday (October 5th) signed a roadmap agreement aimed at ending the months-long political crisis.

The deal calls for the nomination of an independent prime minister by the end of next week, who would then have two weeks to form a cabinet.

It also envisages the adoption of a constitution and a timetable for elections within the next four weeks.

Ennahda said the arrangement was a “modified” version of the initial proposal made by the labour union-led mediators.

The roadmap gives the new government full authority to run the country and not be subject to a motion of censure unless signed by half of the members of the National Constituent Assembly (ANC).

A no-confidence vote will require the consent of at least two-thirds of its members, according to the same agreement.

The ANC will have to select members of the Independent High Commission for Elections and set it up within one week of the start of direct negotiations between the opposition and the ruling coalition.

The constituent assembly is also in charge of preparing the electoral law and adopting it within two weeks.

President Marzouki cautioned that dialogue failure would expose the country to major risks and cripple the economy. He also warned of the terrorist threat that could target the sessions of the dialogue, even though the risk remained under control at the moment.

“Some plot to sow violence and chaos, ostensibly on behalf of deviant beliefs, but in reality to achieve hidden agendas,” he said.