Tunisian minister resigns in protest against corruption

Tunisia’s minister in charge of relations with parliament Lazhar Akremi announced his resignation from Habib Essid’s government yesterday, in protest against “the spread of corruption”.

In a statement, Akremi said that he submitted his resignation after a period of contemplation, having felt that he is bearing the consequences of the situation without being involved in decision making.

“I could not offer the government anything because this was not possible; and I tried to combat corruption but what is painful is that I was defeated,” he said.

Commenting on the issue of corruption at Tunisian ports, Akremi claimed that corruption can be seen in the “construction of walls in front of ports.”

Akremi is one of the politicians who founded Nidaa Tounes in 2012. His resignation is the first in Habib Essid’s government, which was formed in February.

The Tunisian government is made up of four parties, including Nidaa Tounes, which has 86 seats in the parliament; Ennahda, 69 seats; the Free Patriotic Union party, 16 seats; and Afaq Tounes (Tunisian Horizons), 8 seats.