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Tunisia to sell Ben Ali palaces

By Monia Ghanmi In an effort to free up funds for job creation, Tunisia will dispose of Ben Ali era excesses.

Interim Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki announced plans last month to sell off the majority of presidential palaces once owned by ousted dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The earnings will then be used to create job opportunities for the nation's unemployed youth.

"Presidential palaces, except for the Carthage Palace, will be returned to the state at a first stage," Marzouki said December 16th. "In a second stage, they will be sold in a public auction with all transparency and clarity, and the proceeds that will be generated from the sale will be injected into employment funds."

Furthermore, Marzouki announced that Carthage Palace management would trim expenses and work on implementing "maximum austerity so that the presidency may contribute to the sacred war against poverty and unemployment in the country".

According to the most recent official statistics, Tunisia's unemployment rate is estimated at 18%, leaving 800,000 people without jobs. Marzouki pledged to tackle the issue after his election.

"The boat won't sink; Tunisia won't sink, and the sacrifices of our children won't go in vain," he said. "Yes, Tunisia will succeed."

Ben Ali had many luxurious palaces in several Tunisian cities, the most prominent of which were Sidi Dhrif Palace in Sidi Bou Said, Hammamet Palace, Mornag Palace, Ein Darahem Palace, Sousse Palace and Cyprus Palace.

A significant section of Tunisians said selling these palaces was better option than keeping them as part of presidential or state properties, especially with the current condition of the Tunisian economy. They said that funds generated from such sales could be used to support industrial institutions and start new projects, thereby stimulating economic growth and creating jobs.

"Disposing of the presidential palaces and estate left behind by Ben Ali is necessary so that their value may be transferred to the state treasury, and new projects may be started to create a livelihood for the unemployed," commented Abdessalam Dakhlaoui, a young man with no job.

Saoussen Ramdhane agreed that it was a step in the right direction. "Except for the historic Carthage Palace, Ben Ali built all these palaces with the Tunisian people's money, and it's about time such palaces were restored to their real owners and used for the interests of the people."

Others believe that disposing of presidential palaces will make future officials less inclined to abuse public resources.

Mohamed Abirig said he supported Marzouki's decision. "This way, future presidents won't enjoy the luxury and extravagance of former presidents in the properties of the Tunisian people, and in this way, they will be closer to their people, feel their sufferings and know about their needs."

However, a number of groups opposed the move, with the Tunisian Association for Financial Transparency issuing a statement saying that the palaces were owned by the Tunisian state and that the interim president could not dispose of them. The association said that it wouldn't hesitate to resort to the judiciary to prevent the sale of public assets.

Sami Remadi, the group's president, said in a statement addressed to the interim government and president that Tunisia's current conditions require more wisdom and transparency in disposing of people's properties.

For its part, the Free National Party expressed surprise over the news that Marzouki was planning to sell presidential palaces. In a statement, the party wondered what powers the interim president had to dispose of the historical properties of the Tunisian state.

Meanwhile, a large number of Tunisians said they did not want to see the palaces sold, saying that they considered them a historic part of the nation's heritage. Others suggested turning the opulent homes into tourist attractions or cultural landmarks.

"Why should he sell the palaces that are the right of the Tunisian people?" wondered Hassna Chiboub. "We can turn them to hotels, museums, or studios and market them as such. I'm sure that in this case they will generate much more than their price. In addition, the sales proceeds of these palaces can't solve the problem of unemployment that requires long-term planning and investments in all sectors."

Mohamed Amine Chabbi also opposed selling the palaces. "The interim president should have demanded the restoration of pillaged money that exceeds the budget of the Tunisian state and that can somewhat solve the problem of young people's unemployment."

Ben Ali, meanwhile, continues to live in a palace in Saudi Arabia despite Tunisia's repeated requests for extradition on murder charges.

© Magharebia.com 2012