Erstellt am: 7. 2. 2013 - 15:37 Uhr

Tunisia's government turmoil

Reality Check: Chaos in Tunisia, workers exploited in Sochi, US targeted killings, EU budget summit, Croatia's EU accession

Tunisia has seen more violence in the last 48 hours than at any time since the revolution, and the turns the story has taken today, make complicated and confusing reading.

The trigger for the protests was the assassination of an anti-Islamist politician, Chokri Belaid, who was shot by unknown attackers outside his Tunis home.

EPA/Stringer

Chokri Belaid was gunned down by unknown attackers outside his home in Tunis

The Prime Minster, Hamadi Jebali, responded to the protests by dissolving parliament and announcing a new government of technocrats to rule until elections could be held.

However, the members of his ruling Ennahda Party refused to be dissolved, saying he had not consulted them before making the announcement.

In the meantime, judges, lawyers, magistrates and university lecturers went on strike, and clashes between police and protesters have been reported in towns across the country.

By this afternoon, opposition parties had joined the ruling Ennahda Party in rejecting a government of technocrats, and it's unclear what will happen next.

To call the country divided is an understatement. It's more fragmented, or even downright smashed. Everyone seems to be pulling in different directions. Crowds in Tunis have been chanting the same slogan as they did two years ago when President Ben Ali was toppled: "The people want the fall of the regime."

For the country that looked to be making the most successful transition to democracy of all the Arab Spring countries, it's a chilling message, particularly when you consider that Egypt, too, is pretty much back to where it started with anti-Morsi protests eerily reminiscent of anti-Mubarak protests, also two years ago.

Patrick Smith of Africa Confidential gives his analysis of the current events.

Workers exploited in Sochi

A Human Rights Watch report says that migrant workers are being abused and exploited in the buildup to the Winter Olympics in Sochi. Chris Cummins reports.

US targeted drone killings

The political impact of the revelation that the US has a secret drone programme targeting Al Quaeda members in other countries, including US citizens. Riem Higazi looks at the lead up, and the implications for President Obama.

EU budget summit

EU leaders begin a 2 day summit aimed at reaching agreement on a 7 year budget plan.

AFP

Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande meet at the Germany-France football friendly in Paris before the Brussels summit. Germany won 2-1. It remains to be seen who wins at the summit.

After failing to reach an agreement in November, EU leaders are coming together again to try and iron out their differences. However, the bloc is as deeply divided as ever between the countries that want to see the EU adopting austerity measures reflecting the cuts being forces on national governments, and countries wanting to see EU spending increased.

Sandra Gathmann explains the issues and sticking points.

Croatia's EU accession

In 6 months time, Croatia will become the second former Yugoslav country to join the EU. Natasa Bijelic is a researcher in sociology and gender studies, based at the Centre for Education, Counseling and Research in Zagreb, and she explains how gender issues are seen in the EU's newest member state.

FM4 Reality Check

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