(Rishika Iyer, Intern Journalist): The Prime Minister of Tunisia Elyes Fakhfakh resigns from his position on Wednesday putting the country into a political crisis when it is already facing an economic depression due to the ongoing pandemic. He gave his resignation to the President Kais Saied. 

The president now has to choose a new Prime Minister in a parliament filled with rival parties and oppositions. The failure to create a coalition amongst the parties would result in elections in the country again. With the pandemic crippling the country and its people, with unemployment rates soaring high; a political imbalance of such type will cause trouble to the newly formed democracy.

Prime Minister of Tunisia Elyes Fakhfakh
Prime Minister-designate Elyes Fakhfakh speaks during a press conference in Tunis, Friday, Jan.24, 2020. The former cabinet led by Habib Jemli was rejected earlier this month by the Assembly of People’s Representatives

Tunisia transitioned to democracy from an autocratic rule in the year 2011. The autocratic rule lasted for decades due to which the economy has stagnated, the living conditions of the citizens have drastically come down and basic public services being declined. Political parties have strikingly opposite ideologies which make it very difficult to remain in a coalition government. 

The pandemic just worsened the already bad conditions of the country. It is said to cause unemployment to thousands of people and the economy is said to shrink up to 6.5%. The country also has numerous debts from other countries and has asked for an extension for the repayment.

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