Lively debate in Tunisian Parliament tackles many issues
Tunisia, Politics, 12/25/1997

Disputes erupted between the parliament's opposition members and the ruling Democratic Constitutional Gathering (DCG) in Tunisia while discussing the budget of the Ministry of Interior for the upcoming year.

Seven members of parliament who represent the four opposition parties and an independent member criticized the fact that there is no distinction between official agencies and those of the ruling party.

Member of parliament Abdel Karim Bin Omar Aly (the Democratic Unionist Federation party ) called on the government to be more flexible in dealing with the opposition and to give it privileges similar to those given to the ruling party. He also complained about negative practices in some provinces due to the lack of distinction between the government and the ruling party.

The Socialist Democratic Movement member of parliament Omar Al Shakmany pointed out that the ruling party monopolizes all the seats of the national councils and controls the leaderships of many of the specialized societies and committees including the University Scholarships Committee. He called for putting an end to the discrimination in dealing with the different parties according to their political persuasions.

A member of parliament from the same party, Ahmed Khesous, stressed the necessity of reopening discussions between the Ministry of Interior and the Human Rights Association, especially to discuss the issue of denying some people the right to have passports.

The members of parliament from the DCG responded strongly, as the member Monsif Al Fadily answered those who criticized the ruling party, saying that the DCG is similar to the other parties. He also added that the Ministry of Interior does not need anybody to inform it of what it should do. He advised the opposition parties to concentrate on developing good programs in the different fields and not to be diverted by other matters.

The member of parliament Mohamed Al Trudy (the Constitutional party) concentrated on the Human Rights Association (HRA), saying that all the national agencies receive similar treatment. He also referred to the HRA when he said that some of those agencies should change their ideas and conceptions. He added that the government cannot have relations with agencies which depend on foreign ideas.

The member Abdalla Arom (the Constitution party) answered the opposition members by saying that it is natural that decision makers should belong to the ruling party.

Previous Stories:
  Tunisian Constitutional Party to hold fourth conference next July   (12/23/1997)
  Tunisian MPs request revoking citizenship of some journalists   (12/17/1997)
  Tunisia modifies election laws   (12/9/1997)

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