Ali Laarayedh: Tunisians will not allow anyone to thwart their revolution

Ali Laarayedh, former Head of the Tunisian government (2013-2014), praised his country’s record on consolidating democracy and fighting terrorism, and called for further “success in the developmental and economic aspects.”

Popular protests have swept many cities in Tunisia in early January, denouncing the rise in prices in many sectors that came in the framework of implementing the measures in the 2018 budget  considered by the government as “important” to reduce the budget deficit which amounted to 6% of GDP in 2017.

“The Tunisians want the government and politicians to attach the economic side to the political side,” said Laarayedh, who is also vice-president of the Tunisian Islamist Ennahda Movement, in an interview with Anadolu agency in Istanbul.

He added: “After we succeeded politically and dealt with the security issue, we need to move towards success in the developmental and economic aspects so that the Tunisians can sense the improvement in the environment, industry, trade, health, and education.”

Laarayedh said: “Although part of the development and economic progress has been achieved, it still does not meet the expectations. Tunisia has achieved great success in the political transition towards freedom and democracy, which has been established in culture, laws, and institutions. Soon we will have a constitutional court and local elections on 6 May.

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Many difficulties

The Tunisian politician stressed that “the democratic transition is moving forward at a steady pace, and there is no risk except that the economic sector goes hand in hand with the success in the political field.”

He warned that “Tunisia faces many obstacles at the developmental level, because during the past period we have been more concerned with political transition and the fight against terrorism than with development.”

“Investment and growth are affected by the lack of stability at the political and security level, and this has affected the development aspect during the past period, and we have been trying for a year and a half to focus on the development aspect, after we overcame the political and security problems, and now we are focusing on investment and employment.

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Tunisia witnessed a gradual improvement in its security situation following terrorist attacks, which have intensified particularly in 2015, and targeted tourist attractions and security sites, killing tourists, security officers, and civilians. These attacks have led to a sharp decline in the tourism and foreign investment sectors, which has been reflected automatically in economic growth that was then estimated at 0.8%.

“The state wants to expand public investment, encourage private investment, and revitalize the tourism and industry sectors,” Laarayedh added.

He said: “In the past year, growth has improved, though at a slow pace, rising by 2.2 per cent. We are working to reach 3 per cent this year, in the hope of reaching 5 per cent by 2020, to achieve social stability.”

Tunisian Revolution

On the democratic experience in his country, Laarayedh said:  “The Tunisians are moving steadily towards freedom, democracy, and justice, and they will not allow anyone outside or inside to thwart their revolution.” Last month, Tunisia celebrated the 7th anniversary of a popular revolution that overthrew the regime of former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali (1987-2011).

The revolution spread to other Arab countries and brought down regimes in Egypt, Libya, and Yemen. “The Tunisian people in general have considerable vigilance with regard to the possibility of targeting its revolution, especially with regard to the major historical shift from tyranny to democracy,” Laarayedh added.

He said that “interventions, if any, whether inside or outside, are not able to reorient the direction of Tunisia.” Despite economic difficulties, many see Tunisia as a model for the “Arab Spring” revolutions, with successes in terms of political partnership and power-sharing.