105 Tunisian MPs seek no-confidence vote against gov’t

TUNIS

A group of 105 Tunisian lawmakers on Wednesday submitted a petition to parliament demanding a no-confidence vote against the government of Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh.

In statements, Osama al-Khulaifi, head of the parliamentary bloc of Heart of Tunisia party, said the petition was signed by lawmakers from four political parties and independent MPs.

On Tuesday, the Shura Council of Ennahda Movement, which holds the majority of seats in parliament, decided to withdraw confidence from the government over suspected corruption.

Since Feb. 27, Fakhfakh has chaired a coalition government that includes Ennahda, the Democratic Movement, (a social democratic with 22 seats), the People's Movement (Nasseri holds 14 seats), the Hayat Tunis Movement (liberal with 11 deputies), the National Reform Bloc (independents and liberal parties with 16 lawmakers).

According to the Tunisian Constitution, Ennahda needs to collect 109 votes out of total to be able to withdraw confidence from the government.

On Monday, the National Anti-Corruption Authority, an independent constitutional body, referred documents regarding Fakhfakh's revenues to the judiciary and the speaker of parliament.

* Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara