Good governance and anti-corruption in Tunisia confirmed on Monday that there is a suspicion of conflicts of interest for Prime Minister Elias El-Fakhfakh, as he has shares in companies that deal with the state commercially, which is prohibited by law.
Chairman of the Commission, Shawky Al-Tabib, told a closed hearing of the Administrative Reform and Anti-Corruption Committee in Parliament that Prime Minister Elias Al-Fakhakh did not inform the authority of the procedures and details of his contributions to 5 companies, some of which concluded commercial deals with the state.
The doctor said at the hearing - which was devoted to discussing accusations of the prime minister of conflicts of interest - that the commission will implement the law that does not allow traps to engage in commercial activity in his capacity as prime minister.
He explained that Al-Fakhfakh declared his gains after his appointment as Prime Minister on February 27, and also stated that he owns shares in 5 companies (he did not name), and his statement did not include that all or some companies deal with the state commercially.
Law and invitation
The doctor revealed that the commission received two notices from a parliamentarian, and another requested anonymity, which included accusations of suspicion of corruption by the prime minister, the exploitation of excellent (certain) information, conflict of interests, exploitation of influence, money laundering, and illicit enrichment.
He clarified that the earnings authorization law stipulates in Article 18 the requirement of traps to refer the disposal of his contributions to these companies to another person within two months of assuming his duties, but to this day he has not done so.
According to the doctor, the traps lost an agent of two companies and a board member of one of the five companies until a recent date (April 15 and May 22 last), a situation that violates the law and the constitution, and these data were not reported to us until June 25 this Correspondence from him.
The Chairman of the Commission called the traps to give up the interest that creates conflicts of interest in implementation of the provisions of the law that prohibits the Prime Minister from doing business with the state.
The fall of the government
This comes while the head of the Shura Council of the Ennahda Movement in Tunisia, Abdel Karim El Harouni, said that the proof of accusations of conflicts of interest with the prime minister will mean the fall of the government and the need to resort to forming a new one, according to German News Agency reported.
Al-Harouni said that the movement adheres to its position calling for the expansion of the government coalition so that the government can face the social and political challenges that the country is experiencing.
In a press conference held in Tunis on Monday, Al-Harouni added that the movement will continue to defend this option within the government coalition and in parliament.
Last Thursday, Al-Fakhdakh, in a parliament session, denied the accusations against him. He said, "I have declared the gains with the Anti-Corruption Commission since we were given confidence on February 27, and relinquished responsibility in the board of directors of a company two months ago, on April 15 last."
"I decided to voluntarily give up my contributions to a company, to raise all suspicions," he added.