Political wrangling within Tunisia's leading party points to power struggle
Whoever takes over Tunisia’s leadership eight years after the revolution will face an array of challenges, not least addressing the long-held grievances of much of the population and safeguarding the country’s democratic gains.
TUNIS, Tunisia — Infighting within Tunisia’s leading political party has pitted the prime minister against the president’s son in a burgeoning power struggle ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections next year.
Tensions flared up when Hafez Caid Essebsi, executive director of Nidaa Tounes and son of President Beji Caid Essebsi, called for the dismissal of Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, also of Nidaa Tounes, saying he has failed to reverse years of economic downturn.
Hafez, a divisive figure in Tunisian politics long accused of using his father’s clout to shore up power, has driven a number of former Nidaa Tounes members, such as former Secretary-General Mohsen Marzouk and his allies, to leave the party since his ascent to leadership in 2016.
Apart from Hafez, Chahed came under fire from the powerful Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT), which opposes economic reform measures Chahed has pushed such as privatization, tax hikes and public sector wage freezes.
