Tunisia lawmaker threatens to kill PM over controversial EU deal

A Tunisian lawmaker has threatened to kill the country's prime minister if authorities agree to a controversial trade deal with the European Union that has sparked fears among farmers.

Faicel Tebbini, the head of the Farmers' Voice Party, made the threat to premier Youssef Chahed in a video uploaded to Facebook on Friday.

"If the deal is signed… the head of the government will be shot to death for treason in Habib Bourguiba Avenue in the capital in front of all Tunisians," Tebbini said, according to The New Arab's Arabic-language service.

"This deal is new form of colonialism.. if it is signed Tunisians will become slaves," he added.

The Tunisian government has been negotiating with the EU over a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA).

The deal would ensure a "better integration" of Tunisia's economy into the EU single market, according to the European Commission.

But the talks have sparked fears among farmers, who believe the deal would allow EU competitors to flood the market with cheaper agricultural products, destroying their livelihoods.

Chahed's Tahya Tounes party on Saturday condemned the lawmaker's comments, describing them as "scandalous and irresponsible".

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