This Sunday, Tunisia’s National Constitutional Assembly approved a new constitution that would give equality and human rights to Tunisian citizens.
Three years ago, Tunisia’s government suffered a coup as the autocrat Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali was ousted from power. Now, the Tunisian government is pushing closer to democracy, according to Associated Press.
“This constitution, without being perfect, is one of consensus,” said assembly speaker Mustapha Ben Jaafar. “We had today a new rendezvous with history to build a democracy founded on rights and equality.”
Tunisia’s prime minister Mehdi Jomaa expressed his pleasure at the new constitution. “The objective is to arrive at elections and create the security and economic climate to get out of this crisis,” he said.
However, Reuters noted that any opposition to Tunisia’s new constitution would include financial struggles and political opposition. While some of Tunisia’s income relies on European tourism and overseas remittances, Tunisia’s government officials are wary of cutting the budget deficit while keeping citizens happy with social welfare.
On the other hand, Tunisia has kept watch for the Salfists, a conservative Islamist group whom Tunisian secularists fear of gaining a liberal side in politics.
This group was involved in a 2011 revolt, said Reuters. It is also connected to al-Qaida forces in North Africa.
Photo Courtesy of WikiMedia Commons
