Tunisia’s parliament rejects proposed government

Tunisia’s parliament (La Presse)

Tunis: Tunisia’s lawmakers on Friday evening rejected by a great majority the government formed by Prime Minister-designate Habib Jemli.

Following a marathon session that lasted well into the evening, 134 lawmakers voted against the proposed cabinet while 72 supported it. Three MPs abstained.

Al Nahda, a a moderate Islamist party, won the parliamentary elections on October 6 last year, carrying 54 of the 217 seats.

Al Nahda, tasked by President Kais Saied to form the government, sought to create alliances with other parties to secure the 107 votes needed for the government, but failed to garner enough support, with only one small party supporting it.