Minister of Social Affairs, Solidarity, and Tunisians Living Abroad Ali Chaouch of Tunisia

Chaouch said the payment of half salaries is justifiable because the staff were only working for two weeks in a month.

Chaouch was interior minister from October 1997 until mid-November 1999.

Chaouch expressed the same view on DCR-CPC relations.

In announcing the results of the elections, Interior Minister Ali Chaouch said that the overwhelming popular endorsement of President Bin Ali would allow him to make good on his pledges to effect a new political opening within certain limits.

Tunisian Social Affairs Minister Ali Chaouch said he was concerned about the skilled leaving, but hoped economic growth in the region would lure back successful workers from the EU.