Tunisians are wary of Ennahda\'s political ambitions Tunisian security forces prevented clashes between supporters of the political majority and the opposition before the National Constituent Assembly. Forces set up security and military enforcements , while supporters and opponents of the Assembly exchanged insults and offensive slogans. The presence of Niqabis and supporters of the banned Liberation Party was considerable.
Security forces enforced iron barriers between thousands of Islamists, who had gathered since morning to express their support for the majority, led by Ennahda Movement, and to condemn the “Bardo Sit-In 1”, which entered its fourth day, carried out by hundreds of opposition supporters, backed by a number of civil society organisations.
Islamists raised slogans confirming their support for Ennahda and its projects, like “Democratic Muslims”, “People Chose Ennahda (Renaissance) Again”, “Arab is our Identity, Islam is our Religion”, “Minority are Entitled to Change but not the Full Right to Act”, and “Dictatorship is for those who were not elected by people to rule the people”.
Islamists chanted: “We won the elections and we are now a parliament majority”, demanding supporters of the opposition to disperse the sit-in in front of the Constituent Assembly.
Youssef Ayari an Ennahda supporter, told ‘Arabstoday’: “They’re exposed… their goal is the disruption of the Assembly and destabilising the consensus reached between its associates”.
He added “Tunisia is for everyone, it is not a legacy to be inherited by some extreme seculars and arrogant intellectuals. Tunisia is for everyone, people don’t need custody”. He continued angrily “I say to those disguised behind the fear over people’s interest, to shut up for a while, you have caused us headaches by repeating the same words. If talk is silver, silence is golden, leave alone your blabbering and speculations and ideological hatred. Respect people’s will, which some of you described as ignorance”.
On the other hand, Rami Ayari of Doustourna (Our Constitution) Movement, objected to what Ennahda supporters said, explaining: “We recognise the legitimacy of the Constituent Assembly, our sit-in is a message we want to get through to the ruling troika, that the people will not allow the return of dictatorship”. Ayari added “If Ennahda supporters claim that they are the majority, we have the People”.
A young man from Gafsa governorate waved a sign saying “You are 217 and we are the people”. Opposition supporters chanted “Work, Freedom, National Dignity”, persisting to remain in the tents set up around Bardo Palace till their demands were met, which were based upon \"paying attention to priorities and not fabricating problems to distract the public from demanding their rights\".
Opposition activists charged Ennahda supporters with accusations, describing them as \"RCD’s dressed as Islamists”, referring to ousted president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s Party, saying “their protests today remind us of the sit-in organised by those who called themselves the silent majority, and tried to strike the Kasbah Sit-In 2 which overthrew the government of former Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannoushi”.
Ennahda denied the accusations, saying it drew its power from calling on its supporters to demonstrate. The Majority movement’s spokesman, Noureddine El Bhiri, addressed demonstrators in an attempt to calm the air, asking them to leave, saying: “We did not call for demonstrations. We are all for peaceful freedom of expression, and I call on all Tunisian to respect opposing opinions”, stressing that “protesters should not be divided to pro and anti National Constituent Assembly, all protesters are supporters of the Assembly, but they want to communicate some demands to its members”.
Bhiri asked opposition supporters to respect the separation of powers, giving each authority the power to take decisions.
Conversely, a deal seems about to take place between Enaahda and Congress for the Republic, concerning the redistribution of authorities between the President and the head of the government. The deal reportedly aims to give the president more authority. Secretary general of Ennahda and its prime ministerial candidate, Hamadi Jabali said: “Dialogues and discussions lasted for more than three weeks, and there has been an agreement on all articles discussed in the National Constituent Assembly committees.”
Jabali said in a statement to Radio Express that all problems were resolved and consensus had been reached again.
He rejected accusations that the movement seeks dominion over the Assembly to impose its own agenda, saying: “The movement has sought since the beginning of the announcement of the results to reach consensus with most parties, but some insist on remaining in opposition.”
On its part the Congress for the Republic (CPR) confirmed the end of dispute and the strength of the coalition. CPR spokesman Imad Daimi told ‘Arabstoday’: “Following the intense political meetings that took place in the past two days between the leadership of CPR and our associates in the coalition, we have succeeded in containing the partial differences that occurred while discussing the project of the temporary organisation of public authorities. We reached a common consensus to formulas, lifting all ambiguities about the nature of system of government which will prevail during the founding phase, and removing the vagueness surrounding the roles and authorities of the three presidencies.”
Daimi added: “The difference in opinion is proof of mobility, vitality, and interaction within the coalition with our partners in running the constituent phase, away from the mentalities of quotes and the interactions between narrow ideological and political interests” stressing that “passing differences increased the strength and legitimacy of our coalition and clarity of vision.”
In an indication that disputes have been resolved between negotiating parties, Daimi called on the National Constituent Assembly to convene a plenary meeting next Tuesday, start, with a schedule that includes “looking into the draft law concerning the organisation of the interim public authorities, and the suggestions made by the designated constituent committee for its preparation”.