Tunis – June 11, 2013 – Tunisians will debate on Wednesday if their country’s delayed economic recovery from over two years of political turmoil is undermining the country’s transition toward democracy.
The discussions, part of the New Arab Debates (NAD), will be recorded at 7pm at the Tunis Grand Hotel, Monastir Avenue, El Menzah VII, Ariana 1030- Tunis this Wednesday and Thursday and will discuss the motion: “Tunisia’s economy is sinking the revolution”.
Former BBC journalist Tim Sebastian, who founded the NAD in 2011, says that Tunisian leaders are aware of the enormous potential for the economy to derail the revolution.
“We saw President Marzouki warning of this just a few days ago. His view: “If this government doesn’t bring two million Tunisians out of poverty, then the revolution will fail.”
That’s a pretty stark comment on the state of the country. And yet others will say that for the first time in decades, Tunisia has a stark chance to make real strides towards freedom and democracy.
Yes, there are problems but look at the growth of political parties, look at the debates about the new constitution, the free elections. There are very strong impassioned voices on both sides of this argument.”
Sebastian is moderating the English debate on June 12 at 7pm. A day later, renowned Egyptian TV presenter, Mai El Sherbiny will moderate the Arabic version of the same motion but with different speakers and audience.
Both moderators will question two panelists – one supporting the motion and the other against it – and invite the audience of mainly university students and political activists to quiz the speakers before deciding the issue by electronic vote.
In Sebastian’s session, Kabil Daoud, member of the political bureau of the centre-right secular party Al Joumhouri, will argue for the motion. Tarek Kahlaoui, member of the political bureau of the Congress for the Republic and General Director of the Tunisian Institute for Strategic Studies, will argue against the motion.
In Sherbiny’s session on June 13, Samir Bettaieb, member of the political bureau of the center left secularist party Al Massar which holds five seats in the National Constituent Assembly (NCA), will argue for the motion. Arguing against him is MP Zied Ladhari, member of the Islamic party Ennahda, which holds the largest number of seats in the NCA.
The New Arab Debates are a high profile platform to promote free speech and democratic accountability after the popular revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt.
Both debates will be transmitted for the second consecutive year on Deutsche Welle TV in Arabic and English along with its global network of partner channels. Sherbiny’s session will also be broadcast on Hannibal TV (Tunisia) and on Egypt’s ONTV and Al Kahera Wal Nas.