An Interview with the Tunisian Opposition Politician Maya Jribi (Photo: Qantara.de)

One year after the revolution in Tunisia, a coalition of three parties – Ennahda, Ettakatol and the Congress for the Republic – is in power. The Progressive Democratic Party, PDP, which was an opposition party during the Ben Ali era, now finds itself back in opposition again after the country's first democratic elections.

Maya Jribi: Unfortunately, there are no two ways about it: the PDP suffered a defeat that neither its supporters, the public, nor even the political class expected.

What do you think were the reasons for this electoral defeat?

Jribi: In order to be able to remain in constant contact with the people, a party needs an entire party apparatus, and we just don't have one because we were oppressed and always in opposition during the dictatorship. What's more, we communicated in the wrong way. We were unable to explain our convictions regarding questions of identity and on social and political issues. We have now analysed our mistakes and are currently re-orientating ourselves.

Why has the PDP only now decided to merge with other parties? Why didn't it do so before the elections?

Jribi: It was a political process of growth that had to take place. After the elections, all parties took stock.

The most important conclusion we reached was that we have to work together if we really want to build up a republic in Tunisia. Every republican system is based on the principle that power changes hands. This is why we need balance between the political forces. This is why we are called upon to set up a front that represents the expectations of large parts of Tunisian society and guarantees a balance of power.

The parties with which we are now going to merge and their members are as close to me as the members of the PDP. I am convinced that this fusion will be a positive thing. It will trigger an avalanche and will ensure that lots of small groups will come together, not only in the political sphere, but also in civil society. Tunisia has so much to offer, and the revolution makes it possible to make the most of all this.

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Interview by Sarah Mersch; Translated by Aingeal Flanaga

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