The Problem of Two Tunisias Has Not Gone Away
- Autores: Francis Ghiles
- Localización: Notes internacionals CIDOB, ISSN-e 2013-4428, Nº. 150, 2016, págs. 1-4
- Idioma: inglés
- Enlaces
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Resumen
Despite the violence which plays out in its southern neighbour, Libya, North Africa’s smallest nation, Tunisia, is holding steady and its internal security has improved.
Budget deficit remains steady at 4.9% of GDP but the cost of the civil service and state company payroll has risen to 15% of GPD which is unsustainable in the medium term.
The challenge the government faces is to curtail crony capitalism and support existing companies while helping new startups.
The Islamist Ennahda decided to scrap its Islamist proselytising and prioritise political over religious goals though many Tunisians remain unconvinced by the words of its leader.
The prime minister is handicapped by a president who behaves as if the constitution of 2014 had granted him the power to govern the country – which it has not.
The collapse of state authority has resulted in a collapse in morale among those working for the state - until then one of the more efficient civil services in the Arab World.
If solutions are not found to stark regional disparities and social divide, then Tunisia’s democratic roots will wither.
