Tunisia's Ennahda party may join interim government

03 March 2011

Rached Ghannouchi returned from exile on 30 January

Tunisia’s Islamist Ennahda movement, that has been for banned for 20 years, is considering joining the interim government.

On 1 March, Tunisia allowed Ennahda to form a political party. Rached Ghannouchi Ennahda’s leader returned to Tunisia on 30 January after 22 years in exile (MEED 31:1:11).

“It’s possible ‘[to join government] … when conditions that require our participation emerge, we will join. What’s important is assuming a position that contributes to democratisation,” says Ghannouchi.

Ennahda will support a coalition figure in the elections and will not field its own candidate. Ghannouchi also says he will step down as Ennahda’s leader later this year.

Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi resigned from his position on 28 February after his place in the interim government was strongly disputed. Five other ministers have also resigned, leaving the caretaker government on the verge of collapse.

Former president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali was ousted from power on 14 January and fled the country.

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