2 - The Tunisian Provisional Administration

Summary

This chapter analyzes Tunisia’s first post-uprising transition government, the Tunisian Provisional Administration (TPA). The TPA formed in order to fill the void left in the wake of Ben Ali’s departure – a void defined not simply by the absence of a leader, but by the collapse of an entire political system. The chapter first presents a “historical backdrop” in order to set the stage for the work of the TPA. It then describes the various features, decisions, and actions taken by the various bodies and individuals comprising the TPA. Although the TPA sought to adhere to its defined mandate of managing day-to-day affairs and organizing elections, in seeking to organize itself and establish its own legitimacy, as well as draft a plan for transition, it dealt with several other issues relevant to any transitional process. This chapter describes how the TPA dealt with these myriad issues all during its short tenure.