Tunis, Jan 30, 2019 – Election fever is sweeping Tunisia well ahead of parliamentary and presidential polls set for late 2019. President Beji Caid Essebsi has accused Prime Minister Youssef Chahed of seeking power through a secret deal with an Islamist party. Meanwhile economic woes, mass strikes over public sector wages, and bitter divisions within Essebsi’s party have focused attention on the elections. –Chahed, Essebsi’s appointee-turned-rival, has yet to throw his own hat into the ring — but may be preparing to do so. The premier is seen as close to a new progressive platform — Tahia Tounes — which has positioned itself as an alternative “modernist” movement taking on the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 30, 2019 17:15 UTC