(TAP) – The government of Youssef Chahed whose composition will be presented Friday to the vote of confidence of the House of People's Representatives (APR) seems certain of earning a comfortable majority of votes of parties represented in the parliament.

The latter was informed last Saturday of the composition of the nominated government and received a request from the President to hold a plenary meeting in special session for the vote of confidence in the government, according to Article 57 of the constitution.

The few reservations of parties represented in the new cabinet or parties expressing their support to the government should not change the principled positions of the main political parties that are moving towards voting in favour of the government of Youssef Chahed.

Incidentally, Noureddine Bhiri, head of the parliamentary group of Ennahda, confirmed in a statement to TAP that "members of the party stick to the decisions of the recent Consultative (Shura) Council meeting and will grant their vote of confidence in the government of Chahed despite some reservations on certain designated ministers".

For its part, Al-Horra bloc (25 MPs) representing the “Tunisia Project” should vote for the government. This position was confirmed by political bureau member Aymen Bejaoui. "The party’s national council recommended that Al Horra bloc votes for the government of Chahed at Friday’s plenary meeting despite about certain ministers and the enlargement of the representativeness of the Ennahda party," he indicated.

 Mohamed Safi Jallali, press officer of the Initiative party (3 MPs) also made it clear that his party will support the national unity government.

For his part, Mongi Harbaoui, member of Nida Tounes (67 deputies), party to which belong Prime Minister-designate Youssef Chahed suggested that "despite the reservations of a minority, the majority of party members will prioritise the national interest and will give confidence to the new government while monitoring its action.”

The Afek party (8 MPs) reaffirmed its side support to the national unity government formation process in the framework of the Carthage Document, considering its participation in the cabinet "a national duty", but does not hide its reservations about its composition.

However, the Free Patriotic Union (UPL) party, which took part in the talks and signed the "Carthage Document", refused to join the government in protest against "the process chosen by Chahed" for his line-up and has set for Thursday a meeting to determine its final position on the vote for or against the government.

The Al-Shaab party (3 MPs) also refused to join the government because of differences with Youssef Chahed on "the government's action methodology, for not knowing about its composition before and the relationship among its components.”

As for the Popular Front (15 seats), which had declined the call to take part in the talks from the outset, it made it clear that it will not give confidence to the Government of Chahed, calling it a "cabinet based on party quotas and complacency "and reaffirming it will be in the opposition.

 Youssef Chahed had announced last Saturday the composition of his government with 26 ministers and 14 state secretaries, including 9 ministers from Essid’s government.

It also consists of 8 women (6 ministers and two secretaries of state) and 14 young personalities including 5 under 35.

The government also includes two trade union figures, Mohamed Trabelsi, appointed as Minister of Social Affairs, and Abid Briki who will take over from Kamel Ayadi successor in the Ministry of Public Service and Governance.

Three ministers in the outgoing government from Nidaa Tounes party: Neji Jalloul (Education), Anis Ghedira (Transport) and Salma Elloumi (Tourism) retained their positions. However, Said Aydi left his place to Samira Marai (Afek Tounes).

Chahed has also included politicians in his government, namely Samir Bettaieb (Al-Massar), Iyed Dahmani (Al-Joumhouri) and Mabrouk Korchid (Pan-arab current) as well as figures of Ennahda party, Imed Hammami, Saida Ounissi, Anwar Maarouf and Zied Laadhari.