Saied made the appeal after the previous prime minister-designate, Habib Jemli, resigned on January 12, following parliament’s rejection of his proposed cabinet line-up. Lawmakers had questioned the extent to which the candidates were politically independent and suitably qualified. Under the constitution, the president is now tasked with leading consultations before picking the next nominee for the premiership as the country remains without a permanent government, three months after October’s legislative election.
Law-making and reforms will remain on hold for several weeks or even months.
Ennahda’s failure to secure a majority vote may incentivise smaller parties to coalesce to control the agenda.
Civil society activists will take comfort from the fact that the process, albeit tortuous, is strictly following constitutional frameworks.
