New parliamentary opposition group Front Parlementaire Centriste formed 13 Nov included dissidents from majority coalition seeking to form unified opposition. In reaction, new parliamentary alliance between parties in governing coalition (Nida Tounes and An-Nahda) and Free Patriotic Union created 13 Nov, increasing ruling coalition’s parliamentary majority to 136 seats of 217. Parliament 14 Nov voted Mohamed Tlili Mansiri to head of Independent High Electoral Commission, which is to organise municipal elections in 2018 (after four postponements) and presidential and legislative elections by end-2019. Jihadist militant 1 Nov attacked security patrol next to parliament, killing one policeman.

Amid sharp rise in Sept-Oct in number of Tunisians trying to reach Italy by boat illegally, navy vessel 8 Oct intentionally hit boat carrying 90 migrants, killing 50. Incident sparked protests in south, particularly in Souk Lahad from where some of the killed migrants came; protesters burned down local govt office and house of local official. Truth and Dignity Commission responsible for transitional justice process 17 Oct said its board had agreed to principle of reparations for activists tortured and jailed by state between independence and 2011 which could amount to $1.5bn.

PM Chahed 6 Sept replaced thirteen ministers, appointing to key positions anti-Islamists and members of regime of former President Ben Ali (1987-2011). President Essebsi 6 Sept called for amendment of 2014 constitution to expand presidential powers. Parliament 13 Sept passed revised version of economic reconciliation law that offers amnesty to civil servants implicated in administrative violations under Ben Ali, previous version also offered amnesty to businessmen; thousands protested against law 16 Sept in Tunis for encouraging impunity and killing spirit of 2011 revolution. Independent High Authority for Elections 18 Sept announced postponement of municipal elections scheduled for 17 Dec to unspecified date, expected late Mar 2018.

National Guard 8 Aug in Kasserine region in centre near Algerian border killed two suspected Islamist militants including senior commander, reportedly Mourad Chaieb, Algerian national and leader of Okba Bin Nafaa, jihadist group aligned with al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Govt 15 Aug said security forces foiled Islamic State (ISIS) plot to seize territory in south, arrested five suspected members of 22-strong cell. Development and international cooperation minister Fadhel Abdelkefi, also interim finance minister, 18 Aug resigned ahead of judicial hearing for his alleged involvement in illegal transactions scheduled for 4 Sept.

“Clean hands” operation against corruption launched 23 May continued: several directors of hospitals, doctors and pharmacists suspended 14 July on suspicion of corruption. President Essebsi 3 July granted power of judicial police to army in zones where it protects production sites and installations such as oil, gas and phosphate mines.

Govt’s anti-corruption drive launched in May continued; 21 customs officers suspended 14 June. Judiciary 28 June said it froze assets of businessman and politician Slim Riahi on suspicion of “corruption and money laundering”. Govt 16 June reached agreement with protesters demanding job creation and development in Tataouine in south; govt promised 4,500 jobs in area including in oil companies. Protesters closed Bou Lahbal pipeline valves south of Douz 27 June, demanding jobs and local development, emulating protests in Tataouine in May. Two tribes clashed over land in Kebili province in south 8-10 June, about 70 injured. Young man stabbed and killed in Bir El Hafey near Sidi Bouzid in centre 22 June sparking tribal violence; security forces intervened, one policeman killed. Khalifa Soltani, brother of shepherd beheaded by jihadists in 2015, kidnapped 2 June in Mount Mghilla area in north east and found dead next day; Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility. Landmine reportedly laid by jihadists in Mount Salloum in west killed shepherd 16 June. Presidency 14 June extended state of emergency for four months. Govt 15 June announced suspension of 50 associations and dissolution of fifteen others for failing to disclose funding sources, including some linked to Qatar.

Protestors in Tataouine governorate in south blocked lorries from entering El Kamour oil and gas pumping station throughout month to demand jobs and share of revenue from local gas and oil companies. Govt 16 May promised to create 3,000 jobs in oil companies through annual $25mn public investment fund. Security forces 22 May clashed with protesters and National Guard vehicle “accidentally” hit and killed protester; about 50 others injured, protestors burned down two police stations. Opposition, civil society and activists from ruling coalition member An-Nahda party led estimated 5,000-strong protest in Tunis 14 May against proposed economic reconciliation law that would grant amnesty to businessmen and senior civil servants accused of corruption under former regime. Electoral commission head and two other commission officials resigned 9 May, citing internal disputes on democratic values and principles. Report by govt oversight agency same week revealed corruption in commission. PM Youssef Chahed 23 May launched “operation clean hands” and, under state of emergency rule, military arrested eight businessmen suspected of corruption and financing social protests. National Guard 28 May killed suspected jihadist leader in Hassi Ferid in west, govt 30 May said six suspected militants linked to Islamic State (ISIS) arrested in clearing operation.

Govt 3 April said local elections would take place 17 Dec; protests same day flared across country, especially in marginalised regions such as Tataouine governorate in south, expressing multiple grievances including to demand job creation and development. Security forces mid-April noted rise in jihadists crossing from Libya into Tunisia in SE and reinforcement of groups linked to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Islamic State (ISIS) in Chaambi, Semmama, Salloum and Mghilla mountains on border with Algeria in west. Security forces 30 April launched operation against alleged terrorist group linked to AQIM in Sidi Bouzid (centre); one suspected militant blew himself up, another killed and three arrested.

Jihadist attack on police patrol in Kebili in south 12 March killed police officer and wounded another. Recordings posted online early March of president’s son Hafedh Caid Essebsi, who leads faction in Nida Tounes party, criticising fellow Nida Tounes member PM Youssef Chahed.

As part of limited cabinet reshuffle, PM Youssef Chahed 25 Feb replaced Civil Service Minister Abid el-Briki, former UGTT labour union leader, with Khalil Ghariani, member of UTICA business association. UGTT denounced move as provocative, accused National Unity Govt of seeking to impose IMF-backed austerity measures, called for strikes.