TUNISIA: NEW CONSTITUTION. SCHULZ AND BAN KI-MOON, "A MILESTONE"

(Sir Europe – Brussels) – "On this epoch-marking day, my most fervent congratulations to the Tunisian population for voting by a very vast majority for a new Constitution". The president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, comments on the news coming from Tunis, where the new Constitution was passed last night (200 voted for, 12 votes against, 4 abstentions). Schulz places emphasis on the "compromising spirit" and "sense of responsibility" that have prevailed over "partisan interests". "I pay tribute – the German politician adds – to the firm efforts made by all political and social players in the transition to a democratic, pluralist, modern Tunisia enriched by its centuries-old historical heritage". The Constitution also acknowledges – for the first time in the Arab world – gender equality. Schulz mentions the "many challenges" that await Mehdi Jomaâ’s government, first and foremost economic recovery and the organisation of the next election. The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, too commented on the Tunisian voting and defined the passing of the Constitution as a "milestone" for the country, then he said that Tunisia sets the "example" for those populations that aspire to democracy and reforms.