Club de Madrid delegation discusses Tunisia’s democratic transition

The delegation held bilateral meetings with key political leaders in the Tunisian transitional process such as Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki, Prime Minister Hammadi Jebali, President of the Constituent Assembly Mustapha Ben Jaafar, Minister of Human Rights and Transitional Justice Samir Dilou, Minister of Justice Noureddine Bhiri, as well as key political leaders such as Rachid Ghannouchi leader of Ennahda Party, Beji Caid el Sebsi and Taieb Baccouche from Nidaa Tounes political party, Ahmed Nejib Chebbi President of Political Bureau of Al-Joumhoury party, Houcine Abbassin President of UGTT , and Ahmed Ibrahim Secretary General of Al-Masar Party.

The meetings addressed current and important political and economic challenges that are facing the Tunisian government in implementing a democratic transition, including discussions on the recent events of “Black Friday” and the attack on the American Embassy in Tunisia, national dialogue, a coalition government, the creation of an independent electoral commission, the future model of state in Tunisia, and the approaching deadline of 23 October for a final draft of the constitution. The Club de Madrid offered to share their Members’ expertise in democratic transitional processes and support the Tunisian leadership in addressing political reform issues and challenges.

Other meetings included EU head of delegation Ambassador Laura Baeza, Spanish Ambassador Antonio Cosano, Dutch Ambassador Robert Engels Charge d’ Affaires, AfDB, UNDP, and a round table with CSOs on their recommendations and perspective on the process of Tunisia’s political transition, the role of CSOs, and women’s political participation.

Press Clippings from the Mission:

Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki meets with Club de Madrid delegation

التقى رئيس الجمهورية السيد محمد المنصف المرزوقي مساء اليوم بوفد من منظمة نادي مدريد- وهو ممثل لمجموعة من القيادات السياسية العالمية من قدامى الرؤساء ورؤساء الوزراء- الذي يشتغل على مصاحبة دول التي تعيش مسارات تحول ديمقراطي وبناء لمؤسساتها.
وقد تطرق اللقاء إلى آليات إنجاح تجربة الانتقال الديمقراطي في تونس وذلك من خلال وضع خبرات النادي في ميدان العدالة الانتقالية ودعم نحت أنموذج سياسي يصير مرجعا في دول المنطقة.
وشددّ رئيس الجمهورية على أنّنا في تونس بصدد بلوّرة تجربة تمكنت إلى حد بعيد من استيعاب عدة أطياف سياسية من عائلات فكرية وإيديولوجية مختلفة وهي تجربة لازالت في طور البناء وهي بحاجة إلى خبرات كلّ الأصدقاء لاستكمال مسارها الديمقراطي ومواجهة تحديات المرحلة.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FghN7fPHv9U&feature=plcp

Tunisian Prime Minister meets with Club de Madrid delegation (article in Arabic)

https://binaanews.net/news_archive11566.htm
https://www.pm.gov.tn/pm/actualites/actualite.php?id=5978&lang=ar

President of the Constituent Assembly Mustapha Ben Jaafar meets with Club de Madrid delegation (article in Arabic)

https://www.anc.tn/site/main/AR/activites/fiche_act.jsp?cn=78763&t=37

Justice Minister meets President of “Club de Madrid”

TUNIS (TAP) – Justice Minister Noureddine B’hiri met, on Thursday in Tunis, with President of “Club de Madrid” Wim Kok (former Prime Minister of the Netherlands).
The meeting focused on the reform programme carried out by the Ministry, more particularly in the penitentiary field as well as transitional justice expertise.
https://www.tap.info.tn/en/index.php/politic/28-justice-minister-meets-president-of-qclub-de-madridq