clear

Creating new perspectives since 2009

Hamadi Jebali: ‘I will run for president, I might lead Ennahda movement again’

September 21, 2018 at 3:16 am

Former Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali said in an interview published on Hakaek Online that he plans to run for the next presidential elections, adding that he could join Ennahda movement again only if one single scenario occurs.

Jabali said:

I have not made any significant preparations for the presidential elections. I am thinking following-up and monitoring.  I might embark on my campaign at the right time, God willing. My intention to run for president is not aimed to block the path for anyone, including Ghannouchi.

I hope that all the presidential candidates from Ennahda, Beji Caid Essebsi and his son and Youssef Chahed, as well as Hamma Hammami, will come forward and participate in the presidential elections.  Let all competitors have their way.

He went on:

If I win the presidency, I can offer the Tunisian people my experience, my self-reflection and my understanding of the priorities of the country. Tunisia cannot be led in the same way as today.  The institution of the presidency must be available for everyone, serving Tunisia well and with an open mind.

The presidential establishment cannot be dominated by one single political party. I will run for office independently, and I will neither seek nor demand Ennahda support.  I do have the right and privilege to count on the support of Ennahda’s enthusiasts and supporters, and others as well. This is a test for truth.

On the possibility of nominating the head of Ennahda movement for presidential elections, Jebali clarified:

Ghannouchi has the right to stand as a candidate, and Ennahda has the right to have a candidate from within the movement. This will not make me lose my friendship, love and respect for Ennahda members. Ghannouchi’s potential participation in elections does not mean that I have to withdraw from the race.

We can talk it over and chose the best candidate who can achieve the interest of the country, among us. Ghannouchi is experienced and intelligent enough to identify the needs of Ennahda movement and the country as well. I would not dare to tell him whether to run for office or not as this is an internal matter concerning Ennahda’s members and institutions.

Jebali responded to allegations regarding his failure as a prime minister saying:

My government was the only one that was successful in running the country since the revolution. It was the most successful by all standards and according to figures and proofs regarding economic growth, increasing employment rates, as well as freedom and democracy. Hence, we managed to establish state institutions and contributed to ratify the new constitution.

If they want to compare my government with other ones, let us include all the fields in the comparison, the field of journalism and public opinion for instance. The current negative reports on human rights condition, as well as media and corruption in Tunisia, in addition to the collapsing economy, are not a political scarecrow I am using.

Let’s not forget that we only have 67 days stock reserves of hard currency for import. Central Bank Governor says that the Central Bank of Tunisia did not receive the tourism proceeds so far! Do you still think that it is a political scarecrow?

Corruption is deep inside state institutions and lobbies also. The arrest of some corrupted parties by Chahed does not mean a war on corruption; it is rather a kind of personal revenge. I doubt the seriousness of this alleged war on corruption as the war on corruption must be executed without discrimination and personal conflict.

Corruption can be easily identified, and if Chahed is willing to initiate a real war on corruption, I will be the first to applaud him.

As for the possibility of having Youssef Chahed as a rival in the presidency, Jebali replied:

It is natural that we compete. I am not intimidated by Chahed or anyone else. If I chose to run for office, I would fight using a convincing method when dealing with my Tunisians compatriots.  The faux audience supporting Chahed is not the type of audience that I will count on during the elections. Maybe there is contention regarding some points and in some geographical locations, but let all competitors have their way.

We do not have the same base of political and popular supporters, and I am not afraid of Ennahda’s support for Chahed in the coming elections. However, what might concern me is the possibility that Ennahda movement reduplicates the same demeanour of 2014, and lose everything by settling for a consensual president who is not that consensual in reality. I cannot see Ennahda as the ruler of Tunisia today. For the time being the same regime has disintegrated and it is looking for a saviour.

Let Chahed be that saviour if he has the right qualities to do so, but provided that this is not done at the expense of the country and its priorities. If Chahed is willing to run for the elections, I do not think it would be useful for him to continue in his current position as a prime minister. The government must invest all efforts to save Tunisia or what remains of it, and this runs counter to running for office.

Jebali went on saying:

In time, I will unveil my electoral program and I will prepare myself using my simple methods, God willing. I am currently witnessing the formation of history. I may lack financial and media means that people consider fundamental for elections, but there are other more critical and specific aspects, which are credibility and integrity.

I will count on my personal and favourite credits and whoever is willing to join me in this patriotic project. Money alone is not a key factor for success, and I am not counting only on the supporters of Ennahda to help me, but anyone who can contribute to this project.

I believe that the president should not necessarily belong to a political party. But he must be dedicated to Tunisia. The official institution is the hope for us to reform and restore the spirit of revolution in the country, namely democracy, social justice and peaceful cohabitation. The presidency should be open to all the energies of the country without partisan considerations or other exceptions.

The President of the Republic must work for the economic and social priorities at home, and abroad. The Presidency of the Republic has a great balance of economic diplomacy and international relations that can be used as an example to follow in the country. The presidential institution must be a voice for the voiceless and must be biased to the people, seeking to save the country at all levels with the government and the Assembly of the Representatives of the People. The Presidency should be a reference to solving crises and contribute to the formulation of a real consensus.

The results of the current agreement are currently visible to us, and Ennahda movement could have played a better and fiercer role. Ennahda should say “no” when the interest of the Tunisian people and the country is put at risk. The movement should never be involved in personal and family feuds.

Read: Tunisia: equation changes when civilians assault security forces