Tunisian opposition MPs turn back on 'official' revolution celebrations

Tunisia's political opposition have said they will jointly boycott celebrations to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Tunisian revolution.

A joint statement was made by the Popular Front, the People's Movement, the Democratic Current, and the Farmers' Voice Party, and independent MPs, saying they will not attend celebrations at the Carthage Palace on Thursday.

The group compared the celebrations planned to mark the anniversary of the 2011 Tunisian revolution to the grandiose parades held by ousted president Zine al-Abedine Bin Ali.

Another concern was the timing, as Tunisia suffers from a "deteriorating economic and social situation".

"The Tunisian presidency insists on going through with the economic reconciliation bill while it continues to adopt a marginalisation policy and lacks a genuine desire to fight corruption or make any reforms," said Mohammed Abbou, secretary general of the Democratic Current.

"Thus, we must boycott all celebrations of the revolution anniversary at the Carthage Palace until major reforms are made."

Faisal al-Tabini, MP for the Farmers' Voice Party, described the celebration as a "waste of public money".

He said that a real celebration would be with the underprivileged people of Tunisia who are deprived of employment and development.

Leader of the People's Movement, Zuhair Maghzawi, told The New Arab that celebrations should be in line with the egalitarian spirit of the revolution.

"The celebration should take place in the streets and among the people, not at the Carthage Palace," he explained.
Maghzawi also has an issue with the courses the post-revolution governments had taken.

We must boycott all celebrations of the revolution anniversary at the Carthage Palace until major reforms are made. - Mohammed Abbou

  
"Tunisia's rulers would not have come to power, nor would the parties be in the parliament, if it was not for the martyrs and the wounded of the revolution," he said.

"Meanwhile, the demands of the poor and marginalised people, as well as unemployed youths, were ignored, even though they were some of the main goals of the revolution."

Maghzawi said there was general disappointment with the performance of the government and a recent shambolic cabinet reshuffle, which was announced by Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid last week.

Essid named the new ministers of the interior, justice and foreign affairs, among others.

It appeared to be a bid to boost the effectiveness of his government as it battles militant violence and tries to revive a sluggish economy.

Over the past year, extremists have carried out three deadly attacks and almost wiped out Tunisia's critical tourism industry.