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Al-Mechichi, speaking during the Trust in the Tunisian Parliament
The Tunisian parliament gave its confidence to the technocratic government headed by Hicham El Mechichi, with a majority of 134 votes in favor of 217.
“The formation of the government comes at a time of political instability,” Al-Mechishi told parliament when the debate began.
“Our priority will be to address the economic and social situation … stop the drain on public finances, start conversations with creditors and start reform programs,” he added.
As part of plans to revamp the government and revive the economy, Meshishi has brought the finance, investment and economy ministries together in a circle under the leadership of liberal economist Ali Kouli, CEO of Arab Banking Corporation (Bank ABC) at Tunisia.
Tunisia’s economy has been hit by rising debt and deteriorating public services, the coronavirus situation has worsened, and a year of political uncertainty has complicated efforts to address these issues.
Tunisia’s tourism-dependent economy contracted by 21.6% in the second quarter of 2020, compared to the same period last year, due to the coronavirus crisis.
Disagreement between the presidency and the government
Although President Kais Said suggested El-Meshichi for the post of prime minister, Tunisian politicians say he has since abandoned his support, underscoring the potential for tensions between the presidency and the government.
Party officials said Saeed asked them to vote against the mechanically appointed government and instead continue with the interim government.
The efforts to form a government are the third since the October parliamentary elections, after the cabinet rejected a government proposal in January and resigned again in July, less than five months after it was formed.
Although previous episodes of political discord in Tunisia have centered on the divide between secular and Islamists, or on economic reforms, the current tensions appear to be more rooted in the division of powers between the president and parliament.
Saeed, an independent politician who overwhelmingly won the presidency last year, said he wanted to amend the political system.
