First Independent Mena Newspaper
The government has revealed that it will introduce austerity measures to curb its budget deficit. Finance Minister Elyes Fakhfakh’s announcement could further stir up the heightened political crisis to new levels. The decision will imply the reduction of public expenditure and the freezing of public salaries. The move is not expected to be welcomed by […]
Efforts to avoid a political breakdown have received a positive response with the announcement of the transitional parliament resuming its duties a month after Mustafa Ben Jaafar, the president of the transitional parliament, suspended its activities unless a deal is brokered by the political parties. Ben Jaafar is a member of the Ettakol party which […]
The Tunisian central Bank has added its voice to the ongoing political crisis. It is worried that if the political parties don’t find a solution to their differences, the economy will fall into a state that it has never before experienced. The board of the central bank has urged all stakeholders to work towards maintain […]
Concessions have been made by the ruling political parties at the end of their Tuesday meeting with the UGTT, the biggest union in Tunisia, and UTICA, an employers’ union representing business owners and self-employed workers. The ruling government has decided to leave power earlier than expected but based on certain conditions. The opposition received the […]
The Interior Minister, Lofti Ben Jeddou, claimed that Ansar al-Sharia is behind the killings of Mohamed Brahmi and Chokri Belaid. He presented proofs to back his claim before announcing that the objectif of Ansar al-sharia is to establish an Islamic emirate in North Africa. Ansar al-Sharia is an organization of ultraconservative Muslims known as the […]
No one can deny that Arab dictatorships have protected religious minorities across the Middle East and North Africa region for decades as a result of tactical decisions meant to win the political backing of Western powers and the financial support of funding agencies. The nomination of Jewish and Christian leaders to cabinet posts in many […]
In many ways, it appears as if Algeria is weathering the Arab Spring fairly well. Despite its sheer size, it has dodged the cycle of demonstrations and upheaval, even though the Arab Spring started right in the next door Tunisia. Its long-term president Abdelaziz Bouteflika has maintained a façade of democracy, though his tenure has […]
A few days after Chairman Rached Ghannouchi of Ennahda ruled out any possibility of succumbing to the pressure of the opposition, the party has announced through Fethi Ayadi, chairman of its supreme council that it will be making a U-turn for the establishment of “a government of national unity.” The opposition has not reacted to […]
The political crisis in the country is gearing for another step as the Salvation Front, a coalition of secular opposition parties, could propose an alternative cabinet at an anti-government rally on Tuesday. Pressure is mounting on the government but Ennahda has vowed not to leave power. The list of an alternative government from the Salvation […]
Prime Minister Zeidan has gone to Algeria for a brief visit to discuss “issues of mutual interest” with his counterparts. The rising security threats and smuggling was high on the agenda during their meetings. Both sides have agreed on taking common steps to curb it through their Joint Commission. Algeria’s Prime Minister, Abdelmalek Sellal has […]