Tunisia to announce government today

Tunisian appointed PM announced in a statement to Tunisia's official Radio, the postponement of presenting the new government formation to the President, which was scheduled for Monday. Hamadi Jabali said “The reason for the delay in announcing the cabinet is that The Democratic Forum for Labor and Liberties (FDTL) is still preparing the list of its candidates,” clarifying that the candidate lists of Ennahda and Congress for the Republic (CPR) are ready. He added “We have prepared a list of our ministerial candidates in Ennahda a while back, and so has the Congress for the Republic, however, unfortunately, we are still waiting for FDTL, who have not submitted their list of ministerial candidates until this moment.” Jabali continued “The cabinet will be ready in the nearest time.” From his part, FDTL member at the Constituent Assembly Khelil Zaouia said “The delay is due to the withdrawal of one of our memebers to run for a ministerial position,” adding in a statement to the 8 pm news on the state TV “We are addressing the issue so that the announcement will be made on Tuesday morning.” Political Analyst Salah Eddin al-Jorchi commented “This government’s birth is taking a longer time than it should;” adding “Coalitions need traditions that are not well-established in our political history.” Regarding the anticipated cabinet, Hamadi al-Jabali said “The new government will benefit from the experience of some of Beji Caid el-Sebsi’s government, as the Ministers of Defense and Interior,” stressing that “Current Minister of Interior Habib Essaid, who has held many posts in the security establishment in Ben Ali’s era will be advisor to the PM in Interior Affairs.” He added “This is necessary to ensure the continuity of the security establishment,” stressing that “Essaid will have no power over the Ministry of Interior, which will be assigned to Ennahda leader Ali el-Arid.” As for the Ministry of Education, Jabali stated “It will be allotted to Ettakatol (FDTL), and no educational reforms will be introduced without consultation with all designated parties, including professors, teachers, parents, experts, association, parties and others.” He noted that the Ministry of Culture will be assigned to an independent candidate, capable of taking into account the cultural equilibrium in the country, stressing that this ministry will not be “Dominated by a particular ideology, serving one set of opinions, as the case is now,” in reference to the former minister’s affiliation to the left. Nonetheless, Intellectuals in Tunisia have expressed their concerns that the Islamist movement would take over the Ministries of Education and Culture, which in turn would help to “Islamize” both sectors that have been under the control of modernist movement for decades.