Operation Tunisia

[Peter Lemkin]

The trade unions have been playing a role in the most recent protests. But there are several left groups of various shades in Tunisia and I don't know how well they get on if at all. They are run from outside or underground of course. So it is difficult to know how they will fare in a general election. I had an email from some one who knows the situation there (French) telling me that there are divisions in the military on where to go from here. However the police have withdrawn from the streets and been replaced by the military. One man and his immediate family have gone but there are still plenty of other elites there who want to keep the old system going to their advantage. The old regeime is receeding but is it regrouping as well? Unlikely to give up just yet. People are setting up their own local committees and organising locally. Five members of Ben Ali's family have been arrested on charges of corruption, including some of the most prominent businessmen in Tunisia. Apparently, there are calls for a new demonstration tomorrow to force Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi to step down and for the holding of "free general elections".

It will be interesting. Actually, the Prime Minister [likely on purpose] cited the wrong clause in the Constitution for his new powers as President. I forget the number. It is the very next provision in the Constitution of Tunisia that really applies - whereby he'd form a provisional government and call for elections ASAP.