[divider] Domestic News [divider] Tunisia adopts new Counter-Terrorism Law After a marathon three-day discussion, the Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a new Law to Combat Terrorism and Money Laundering, with 174 deputies voting for, 10 abstaining and 0 against. The new law replaces the Terrorism Law 2003 passed under the Ben Ali regime. The new law was
[divider] Domestic Developments [divider] 100 days into the mandate of the new Tunisian government, and it seems the key word of the day is “challenges”. On television and radio shows and discussions, we hear of the economic, social, political, security and regional challenges facing the government and the country. Prime Minister Habib Essid held a press conference
[divider] Domestic Developments [divider] Ambush kills four Tunisian soldiers An ambush on a military checkpoint near the town of Sbeitla in the Kasserine region has killed four soldiers and injured six. State news agency TAP said around 30-35 militants were involved in the attack. Kasserine lies near the Algerian border at the foot of the
[divider] Domestic Developments [divider] Supreme Judicial Council – Who’s in and who’s out? The Tunisian public has become accustomed to complex legal debates on its screens, with the constitution-writing process introducing us to new legal minutiae we would never have dreamed of being exposed to. However, the recent dispute over the formation of the Supreme
[divider] Domestic Developments [divider] Media headlines in recent days have focused on the spectre of terrorism once again, looking at the re-emergence of the Uqba ben Nafe brigades. Analysis has also focused on the work of the new government and the key dossiers discussed at last week’s Cabinet Meeting – mainly security, consumer prices, and
New Government Formed Tunisia finally has a new government! On 5th February, some 102 days after the legislative elections took place, the Assembly of People’s Representatives voted to give confidence to a new government by 166 out of 204 deputies present, with 30 voting against, and eight abstentions. The new government is headed by an
Formation of New Government Tunisia has entered its 16th day of negotiations over the formation of the new government. Rumours abound in national media around who is in and who is out – Monday’s papers report that the new government is nearly finalized, with various leaked lists showing potential ministers. Assoor newspaper reports that the
Welcome to the first JF Blog of 2015! While the new year is usually quiet on the news front, that certainly hasn’t been the case in Tunisia – negotiations over the formation of the new government have kept media and analysts busy speculating as to the likelihood of a national unity government, a Nidaa-Afek-Moubadara coalition
Finances Top the Headlines Finances have been occupying the headlines in Tunisia this week, with the passing of the 2015 budget and debates over an increase in public-sector salaries and impending slashes in subsidies. The new Assembly of the People’s Representatives managed to pass the 2015 state budget in the early hours of 11 December
All eyes have been on the presidential elections this week. The race is heating up, given the very small gap between the two top candidates Beji Caid Essebsi and Moncef Marzouki, with 39% and 33% of votes respectively. A war of words has broken out between the two, prompted by Essebsi’s statement on French radio
