Tunisia: Heart of Tunisia loses 11 lawmakers amid internal crisis

Eleven lawmakers have resigned from Heart of Tunisia party, headed by business tycoon Nabil Karoui, citing discontent over lack of governance and management within the second largest power in the Tunisian parliament.

Among the disgruntled, Hatem Mliki, a senior member who told local radio Mosaique fm that the dissidents are “unhappy about the decision-making procedure, political proposals made by the party to the government and the presidency, ties with other political parties, and the opposition methodology.”

The 11 unhappy MPs also indicated that they were resigning from the parliament bloc of Heart of Tunisia.

Party spokesman Sadok Jebnoun told state-run news agency TAP that the party had not received any official document about the resignation.

Officially known as Qalb Tounes, the party emerged, with 39 seats, as the second power in the legislature following the October legislative elections.

Qalb Tounes is not part of current government of Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh who refused to work with the party despite pressure from various other parties, including the parliament dominant movement, Ennhadha.

Karoui had opposed Fakhafkh’s nomination by President Kais Saied arguing that the designated Prime Minister will not enable its party to implement its campaign promises.