Share

Tunisia leaders meet for talks on 'political crisis'

Tunisia's top political leaders met on Monday for crisis talks after President Beji Caid Essebsi suggested in a controversial interview that his prime minister should resign.

Political tensions have been on the rise in Tunisia, with Essebsi's Nidaa Tounes party increasingly blaming Prime Minister Youssef Chahed for worsening economic conditions.

Essebsi and Chahed met at the presidential palace with labour unions and employers, a day after local media aired an interview with the president critical of the premier.

In a statement, Essebsi's office said the meeting was focused on finding "ways to emerge from the current political crisis" and called on the country's political parties to act to resolve it.

* Sign up to News24's top Africa news in your inbox: SUBSCRIBE TO THE HELLO AFRICA NEWSLETTER 

FOLLOW News24 Africa on Twitter and Facebook

In the interview with Nessma TV aired on Sunday and posted on the presidential website, Essebsi referenced the tensions and said: "The prime minister must either resign or go before parliament" to face a confidence vote.

The interview itself sparked controversy, with rival media, including Mosaique FM radio which had a journalist at the interview, accusing Nessma of truncating Essebsi's statements.

Criticism has been growing as Tunisia struggles with unemployment, corruption and austerity seven years after the 2011 revolution that toppled longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Among those who have called recently for the premier's resignation is the president's influential son and the leader of Nidaa Tounes, Hafedh Caid Essebsi, who some media have suggested is gearing up for a presidential run in elections next year.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 466 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 671 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.0%
Rand - Pound
23.90
+0.0%
Rand - Euro
20.41
+0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.33
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.0%
Platinum
908.05
+1.2%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE