Recent appointments made by Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi and Prime Minister Youssef Chahed have been seen as growing signs of a dispute between the two heads of the executive authority ahead of the November 2019 presidential race. Essebsi appointed ex-PM Habib Essid as a special adviser, the same day Chahed tasked Kamel Hadj Sassi, a figure of the former regime, with advising him on several matters. Some Tunisian politicians warned against the rivalry between Essebsi and Chahed while others downplayed the differences although the appointments came after the president asked the premier to resign or to head to the parliament for a new vote of confidence. According to analysts, with Essid’s appointment, Essebsi sought to garner the sympathy of Tunisians who have continued to support the former premier despite being out of power. As for Sassi’s appointment, it also drew controversy over his return to public life with some claiming that Chahed is seeking to appeal to the masses of Nidaa Tounes, which has been founded by Essebsi, at the local and regional levels. Meanwhile, the premiership has referred to The Independent High Authority for Elections a bill on the amendment of the electoral law to raise the number of lawmakers from 217 to 231. The step comes in line with demographic changes taking place in the country.