Tunisia approves new constitution

January 27, 2014

The Tunisian approved a new constitution yesterday, a step towards running elections in the country. A new cabinet has been appointed by the Prime Minister,.

, of the National Assembly, welcomed the constitution's passage: "This constitution was the dream of Tunisians, this constitution is proof of the revival of the revolution, this constitution creates a democratic civil nation".

The constitution recognises Islam as the religion of Tunisia but also includes provisions guaranteeing freedom of conscience and equality between men and women. The struggle between Islamism and has been a recurring theme in Tunisian politics since the Arab Spring uprising three years ago: as in Egypt,  have sought to push the country towards embracing sharia law and other hard-line Islamist policies. Last year, the ruling party agreed to step down after their political opponents said their government had not done enough to seek justice for the assassination of opposition politicians by Islamist militants.

Mehdi Jomaa, the interim prime minister, appointed a new finance minister — the economist, formerly of the — and a new foreign minister — , formerly an official for the United Nations.