Tunisian PM Resigns After a Row With Islamists Ennahda

Published July 16th, 2020 - 05:37 GMT
Tunisian Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh attends the national conference "to establish decentralisation and local power" on July 15, 2020 in Tunis. The Islamist party Ennahdha has withdrawn its trust from the Fakhfakh government. The resignation of the head of government, Elyes Fakhfakh, or the continuation of his office at the head of the government depends on the results of the audit committee's investigation into the conflict of interest scandal, which will be published on Friday 17. FETHI BELAID : AFP
Tunisian Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh attends the national conference "to establish decentralisation and local power" on July 15, 2020 in Tunis. The Islamist party Ennahdha has withdrawn its trust from the Fakhfakh government. The resignation of the head of government, Elyes Fakhfakh, or the continuation of his office at the head of the government depends on the results of the audit committee's investigation into the conflict of interest scandal, which will be published on Friday 17. FETHI BELAID : AFP
Highlights
The party initially nominated an independent for premier but he failed to win the support of parliament, leading President Kais Saied to name former finance minister Fakhfakh for the post.

Tunisian Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh resigned on Wednesday, according to two official sources who did not want to be named, after a row with the Ennahda party.

Fakhfakh, who is under investigation over allegations of conflict of interest, has had strained relations with Ennahda, the biggest party in parliament, since October legislative elections.

Ennahda had earlier Wednesday tabled a no-confidence motion against Fakhfakh, who took office in February after winning approval from lawmakers following four months of deadlock.

Ennahda came top in the October polls but fell far short of a majority and eventually agreed to join a coalition government.

The party initially nominated an independent for premier but he failed to win the support of parliament, leading President Kais Saied to name former finance minister Fakhfakh for the post.

Fakhfakh is under investigation over alleged failure to hand over control of shares he owns in private companies that have won public contracts.

This article has been adapted from its original source.

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