Tunisian President raises doubts about Ennahda

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi seen at a press conference at Conference Palace in Tunis, Tunisia on May 10, 2017 [Amine Landoulsi / Anadolu Agency]

Tunisia President Beji Caid Essebsi has called for an investigation into the nature of the opposition Ennahda party.

In an interview with Tunisia’s official local newspaper Al-Sahafa, Essebsi described the Islamist movement as “not civic”.

“The outlawed group paralyses the state from carrying out its duties and achieving development,” Essebsi stressed.

Read: The hidden battle between Ennahda and Nidaa Tounes

The party’s media office is yet to respond to Essebsi’s remarks.

Ennahda is the predominant party in the Tunisian government with 69 seats in the parliament, the Assembly of the Representatives of the People, while Essebsi’s party, Nidaa Tounes, has 58 parliamentary seats. The government also includes the secular party of Afek Tounes which holds ten parliamentary seats.

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