Lareyedh defends new cabinet despite lack of women

Tunisia's newly appointed Prime Minister Ali Lareyedh has defended his recently chosen cabinet at a meeting with the National Constituent Assembly (NCA), it has emerged today. The news comes after Lareyedh 's cabinet faced accusations of being "a threat to democracy and anti-corruption efforts" and was branded unrepresentative of Tunisian society. Critics of the new government argue that its members are made up of only three coalition parties, 70 percent of who served under the former prime minister Hamadi Jebali. Lareyedh defended his predecessor, saying that despite some “defeats” his government was not the "failure" it is often accused of being. He praised Jebali's cabinet boosting the country’s growth rate by 3.6 percent during his tenure. The leader has also been accused of “following orders from overseas” – a claim which he vehemently denies. "Our government is neither one of war nor of subjugation," said Lareyedh, adding that Tunisia and its allies abroad are "on an equal footing.” Other MPs in the ruling Ennahda Party praised Lareyedh for the speed with which he assembled the new government, describing him as the “right man in the right place.” The Prime Minister was given just 15 days to choose his cabinet after his appointment on February 22. His predecessor Hamadi Jebali resigned amid mounting criticism over the handling of opposition leader Chokri Belaid’s assassination earlier in the month.  However, the Tunisian PM was quick to apologise for the lack of women in the cabinet, blaming “time constraints” for the under representation. He promised to redress the balance by appointing more women in other government posts and called on new legislation to “cement their role in politics.” A number of members in the opposition National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) have criticised Lareyedh choice of cabinet members. Ahmed Khaskhoussi, an MP for the Movement of Socialist Democrats (MDS) told Arabstoday that the new government is clearly biased and in favour traditional politicians, who have been on previous governments for decades. “A government that doesn't remain impartial and independent risks turning into a gang of mercenaries," he said.  Khaskhoussi also said the National Guard (the Gendarmerie) should be split from the Interior Ministry and merged with the army. He said the measure would achieve a balance between the defence and interior forces and would enable the Tunisian army to focus on its training in protecting the country from external threats.  Meanwhile, Samir Taïeb, a member of the leftwing al-Massar Party condemned Lareyedh "unrepresentative" choices for severely lacking “women and young people in positions of power.” He cited the appointment of Education Minister Salem al-Abyad as "dangerous to Tunisia’s society”, accusing him of sympathising with the Islamic Salafists.