More than 30 members of the Tunisian parliament have defected from the ruling party in a protest over what they call “meddling by President Beji Caid Essebsi’s son in party affairs.”
The MPs tendered their resignations saying they were dissatisfied with the way the Nidaa Tounes party’s affairs were being run.
The resignations came as allies of President Essebsi dismissed the claims that they were looking to instate his son Hafedh Caid Essebsi into a position of influence.
Nidaa Tounes, founded by Essebsi, emerged as a political force after beating the Islamic Ennahda Party in elections last year and went on to form a coalition government in the North African country.
Cracks began to emerge over the party’s direction, appointments and structure, after Essebsi senior was elected president and stepped down as its leader.
