Tunisian Transition Experiencing Disruptions

Lawmakers questioned Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali on June 30 about his decision to extradite Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi, who served as Libya's prime minister under Moammar Gadhafi, back to Libya. Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki, several members of the Cabinet and lawmakers in Tunisia's National Constituent Assembly, the country's interim parliament, had opposed the extradition. The questioning followed an announcement by several lawmakers June 27 that they are working toward holding a no-confidence vote on the Islamist-led interim coalition government formed in December.

The no-confidence move is the first major sign of trouble in what has been a relatively smooth political transition compared to other Arab states, particularly Egypt. However, it is not clear that the dissenting members of the assembly will be able to gather enough support to successfully pull off a vote of no confidence. Even if the vote were to succeed, it would not derail the political process.