TUNIS: Tunisia's National Constituent Assembly is to begin voting on the future constitution Friday, three years after the country's popular uprising and after five months of deadlock between the ruling and opposition.
The adoption of Tunisia's constitution would represent a crucial milestone in the birthplace of the Arab Spring, where hopes of a successful democratic transition contrast starkly with other countries in the region rocked by regime change.
But with revisions added after intense last-minute negotiations, a final draft had yet to be circulated two days before the scheduled scrutiny of the long-delayed charter, which is to be voted on article by article.
"The compromises reached have not been integrated into the draft and separate articles can still be added... So we are not safe from last-minute surprises, on a religious amendment for example," warned Nadia Chaabane, an opposition MP with the Massar party.
"I remain suspicious," she told AFP.
"It's a shame that what will be a foundational text for several generations is not very carefully drafted," she added.
The deadline for adopting the new constitution, which has been a work in progress for more than two years, has been set for January 14, the third anniversary of the revolution that ousted former autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
Lawmakers must examine a text that includes about 150 articles and 225 proposed amendments, with each requiring endorsement by a majority of MPs. The constitution itself must then be approved by two thirds of the assembly's 217 elected members or put to a referendum.
'A level of democracy guaranteed'
Other contentious topics, notably the prerogatives of the head of state in a country that recently emerged from five decades of dictatorship, appear to have been resolved.
The final version will give the head of state responsibility for "determining general policies in the areas of defence, external relations and national security," according to the official TAP news agency.
The president will also be able to propose a vote of no confidence in the premier and have limited rights to dissolve parliament.
Constitutional expert Yadh Ben Achour, who was consulted on the drafting of the text, said he was largely optimistic, noting it guarantees civil liberties "in conformity with international norms".
"In general, the negotiations have resulted in a decent constitutional text which guarantees a level of democracy.
There have been a lot of improvements to the content and the form, even if some things are still needed.
"What I fear most is that certain MPs will not respect the commitments of their parties (to compromise)."
"The debates on certain thorny issues were difficult, but the compromises reached in recent weeks have restored trust among MPs after the crisis triggered by the murder of the MP Mohamed Brahmi on July 25."
The killing of Brahmi, by suspected militants, has paralysed political life in Tunisia, with opposition parties demanding the Ennahda-led government's resignation.
The adoption of the constitution should also coincide with the appointment as prime minister of Mehdi Jomaa, an independent nominated for the post in December under a deal that followed months of crisis talks.
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