tunisia

Political background
Following revolts of December 2010 and the s.c. Arab Spring, the former president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali was ousted in January 2011 ending more than two decades of authoritarian rule. In October 2011 a National Constituent Assembly (NCA) began drafting a new constitution which was ratified in January 2014. In October 2014, parliamentary elections were held and the secular party Nidaa Tounes won. In December 2014, Beji Caid Essebsi was elected as the first president under the country’s new constitution. However, while the country is considered a rare success story of the Arab Spring, praised as a model for the region, authorities have failed to resolve critical country issues such as unemployment, regional disparities, corruption and local security. On August 2016, the parliament passes a vote of no confidence and approves a new unity government, led by prime minister Youssef Chahed. However although under the constitution, it is the prime minister that has more powers, Essebsi remains today the more powerful figure, as he also leads the largest party in parliament, Nidaa Tounes (whose is the founder). Next general national elections are not due until 2019.