Essebsi and Ghannouchi discuss economic conditions and preparations for Tunisian elections

Talks have been held between Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi and Sheikh Rachid Ghannouchi of Ennahda Party ahead of the upcoming municipal elections. On the agenda at the meeting on Monday was the current economic situation in the North African state.

According to Ghannouchi, the talks with the head of state also looked at the general situation in Tunisia. The importance of consensus between the various political parties on ways to achieve the desired economic recovery was prominent in the discussion, he said. The need to end the suffering of the Muslims in Myanmar (Burma) was reviewed by the veteran politician and the President. “It is important to make the international community sensitive to their plight,” insisted Ghannouchi.

Neither the founder of Ennahda nor the state President gave any indications about a possible government reshuffle, which is expected to be presented today (Tuesday) by the head of the government, Youssef Chahed. A special parliamentary session has been requested to discuss the proposed moves. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mohammed Al-Nasser, will meet with the heads of the various parliamentary blocs on Tuesday to consider their proposals for holding a special session.

Read: Tunisia’s ‘parallel economy’ costs the country $2 billion annually

Al-Nasser had confirmed previously the parliament’s commitment to hold an extraordinary session to fill the vacancy in the Independent High Authority for Elections, especially in light of the municipal elections in December. A vacancy occurred in the election authority after Shafiq Sarsar resigned as head of the body in May, along with board members Lamia Al-Zarkouni and Mourad Bin Mawla. A parliamentary session at the end of July failed to elect anyone to fill the vacancies.

The Independent High Authority for Elections is responsible for the organisation of all elections in Tunisia. It was established on 18 April, 2011 by the Supreme Commission, in order to achieve the objectives of the revolution, political reform and democratic transition, a few months after the ouster of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and his regime. The authority replaced the Ministry of the Interior, which used to oversee the elections.

Seven opposition parties will hold a press conference on Tuesday to demand the postponement of the December elections.