Tunis, February 23, 2014 – Tunisians are to debate the declining fortunes of Islamist parties in the region, a month after the Ennahda Party – winners in the country’s first post-revolution elections – ceded power to a caretaker government.
The event, organized by the New Arab Debates (NAD), a high-profile regional platform, will argue the motion: “Islamist parties have blown their chance for power in the Arab world”. Both debates will be recorded at 7 pm at the Palais des Congres in central Tunis.
British journalist Tim Sebastian, who founded the NAD in early 2011, will moderate the English session on Wednesday, February 26, with Ziad Miled, from the secular Ettakatol Party arguing for the motion against Jawhara Ettiss, member of the national Constituent Assembly, representing the Islamist Ennahda Party.
A day later, Egyptian TV presenter Mai El Sherbiny will present the Arabic version with Lazher Akremi , spokesperson for the secular Nidaa Tounes arguing for the motion against Noureddine Bhiri, former minister of justice and member of Ennahda.
Sebastian says the upcoming debates will subject the Islamist parties to some tough questions.
“Since Mohamed Morsi was overthrown as President of Egypt, the fortunes of Islamist parties seem to be in decline in the Arab world. Now Ennahda has stepped down in Tunisia. Was this a tactical retreat – or the last chance for an Islamist party to rule in the region? We’ll be looking at their prospects for regrouping and asking if the public will give them another chance.”
The full list of speakers for both debates will be announced on Twitter #newarabdebates in the next few days.
The project encompasses an extensive outreach campaign in schools and universities, aimed at encouraging young people to participate in political life. It is funded by the Norwegian and British governments.
Both debates will be transmitted for the third year on Deutsche Welle TV in English and Arabic along with its global and regional network of partners including Egypt’s ONTV, Ro’ya TV in Jordan, Hanibal in Tunisia, and Watan TV in Ramallah.