Tunisia's Islamist Ennahdha party rejects new cabinet nominations

The Islamist Ennahdha party said on Sunday it will not vote in favor of Prime Minister designate Habib Essid's cabinet that needs parliamentary approval.

In the list of cabinet members Essid presented to President Beji Caid Essebsi on Friday, no Ennahdha member was included.

Instead, the nominated ministers are from secular Nidaa Tounes party, and Patriotic Free Union (UPL), along with some politically independent members.

Ennahdha, with 69 seats in the Parliament, is considered the second most important political power as they came second in the legislative elections in October, 2014.

The party has decided not to give the vote of confidence to the cabinet line-up said Fathi Ayadi, head of Ennahdha's Shura Council on Sunday.

Essid's cabinet can be considered inclusive in terms of gender and regions, as it consists nine women and politicians coming from different regions nationwide.

However, only two parties were represented in the new government if approved, which draws criticism to both Essid and Essebsi.

Essid is to present the cabinet nomination to the 217 members of the Parliament on Tuesday for approval. A vote of confidence necessitates an absolute majority (109 supporting votes.)

"The Nidaa Tounes parliamentary bloc will vote in favor for Essid's cabinet," said Lazhar Akermi, a Nidaa Tounes member on Sunday in an interview.

The UPL is also going to support the list, and together with the Nidaa Tounes party, they would bring 102 yes votes.

Votes of the Popular Front (15 seats) and Afek Tounes Parliament members (8 seats) will be crucial. Leaders from both parties have not clearly supported or opposed Essid's cabinet, thus it is still not clear whether the new government can be approved.

Once approved, Essid's new cabinet is to be sworn in for a 5 year-term on Wednesday. Endit