A Third Government in Less Than A Year: Analysis of Tunisia’s Political System’s Crisis

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Yasmine Akrimi
NORTH AFRICA ANALYST

REPORT AT A GLANCE

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Tunisia will celebrate its revolution’s tenth anniversary this upcoming January. In parallel, its ninth government since 2011 assumed office recently. On the night of 1st September, the Tunisian parliament granted its confidence to a new government, the third in less than nine months.137 votes for and 67 against, out of a total of 201 parliamentarians present and 217 in total.Hichem Mechichi, unknown a few months ago, has risen to power by the choice of Kais Saied having been the President’s former adviser, then Minister of Interior.The Mechichi government gathered a larger support than expected, yet the country’s political crisis has actually deepened.

 

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

Governmental instability has characterized post-revolution Tunisian politics. Since 2011, the country has witnessed nine governments. In 2020 only, there have been three attempts to form a viable government.

 

>  The parliament is so ideologically fractioned it is unable to conduct its primary task: debate and vote legislations. The current electoral formula prevents the emergency of a clear majority.

 

>  There is an insidious presidentialization of the post-2011 regime as heads of governments are often picked by the presidents without having tangible representation in the parliament.

 

>  Tunisia needs a more simplified and coherent constitution that allows for the unity of the executive branch and a clear majority within the parliament.