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Democracy News
Tunisian Interim Leader Granted Decree Powers
February 11, 2011
By: Randi Zung | Printer Friendly
Nearly a month after the resignation of Tunisian President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, on February 9, BBC News reported that both houses of the Tunisian parliament had granted interim President Fouad Mebazaa the power to rule by decree. Mebazaa, the former head of the lower house of Tunisian parliament, will now have the ability to pass legislation without input from the parliament. The country’s parliament remains dominated by former Ben Ali allies and the ability to rule by decree is viewed by the interim government as necessary in order to normalize conditions in the country.
Commenting on Mebazaa’s new decree powers, AFP reported that interim Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi said the move was necessary in order to speed up reforms in the country, “Time is precious. Tunisia has real need of rule by decree to remove dangers.” It is predicted that Mebazaa will grant amnesty to political prisoners, expand press freedoms, and repeal anti-terrorism laws that were previously used to quell dissent.
On February 10, Reuters reported that Mebazza announced on national television that the interim government would soon begin talks to address citizen concerns. Mebazza said, “We are soon going to launch social negotiations on a national scale. These negotiations will be with all the sectors.” Under Ben Ali’s 23-year rule, many Tunisian’s refrained from calling for economic and social reforms for fear of police harassment.
BBC News also reported that Ben Ali’s former ruling Constitutional Democratic Rally party had suspended all activities and closed its offices. Mebazaa and Ghannouchi, both former members of Ben Ali’s government, resigned from the Constitutional Democratic Rally party earlier in the year. The party is currently banned from holding meetings and organizing public demonstrations.
The demonstrations that ousted Ben Ali resulted in over 219 fatalities.
UPDATE
On February 27, the New York Times reported that interim Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi announced his resignation after weeks of protests that called for his removal. According to protesters Ghannouchi was unfit for office because of his prior ties to Ben Ali’s former government. Commenting on his resignation, Ghannouchi stated, “My resignation will provide a better atmosphere for the new era.” Interim President Fouad Mebazaa later named Beji Caid-Essebsi as the country’s new prime minister. A day after Ghannouchi’s resignation, BBC News reported that two ministers from the interim government also decided to step down. The two ministers, Mohamed Afif Chelbi and Mohamed Nouri Jouini, were both members of Ben Ali’s former cabinet.
On March 9, BBC News reported that Ben Ali’s former ruling Constitutional Democratic Rally party had been formally dissolved by a Tunisian court. The party’s dissolution, which had been one of the main protester demands, means that the Constitutional Democratic Rally will no longer be able to run in future elections. The court’s ruling came two days after the interim government announced that elections will take place on July 24, 2011. BBC News additionally reported that the country’s secret police – which played a key role in suppressing the country’s opposition movement – had also been dissolved.
To read the full ISC/CD statement on Tunisia, please see:
ISC/CD Statement on Tunisia
For previous news on Tunisia, please see:
Tunisian President Resigns After Protests
Sources:
BBC News - Tunisia senate agrees to widen presidential powers
Reuters - Tunisian leader asks restive people to be patient
AFP - Tunisian lawmakers approve emergency powers
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