In the southern town of Gafsa, clashes erupted between groups of young people throwing stones and police using tear gas to disperse them. Despite this, the streets in other parts of the North African state were calm, in contrast to the Arab Spring uprisings that originated there. There were concerns about more unrest due to calls for a general strike, and the family of the assassinated politician Chokri Belaid indicated that his funeral might be delayed until Friday. Prime Minister Hamdi Jebali announced plans to replace the government with a non-partisan cabinet until new elections could be held, but this move was not approved by his party, Ennahda. The opposition parties also rejected the idea of a government of experts and insisted on being consulted before a new cabinet is formed. The ongoing political deadlock could worsen the already existing unrest in Tunisia, highlighting the divide between Islamists and secular groups who fear for their freedoms and rights just two years after the fall of the dictatorship. Belaid was killed by a gunman who escaped on a motorcycle as he was leaving for work. This incident led to thousands of protesters taking to the streets nationwide, throwing rocks and clashing with police, reminiscent of the events in Egypt the previous month. The killing had no one claiming responsibility, and the head of Ennahda denied any involvement. Despite winning the most seats in the election 16 months ago, Ennahda's headquarters in Tunis was set on fire by a crowd. Protests also occurred in Sidi Bouzid, where the Jasmine Revolution took place in 2011. The assassination of Belaid, while he had a small political following, resonated with many Tunisians who fear the threat of radical religious groups erasing the freedoms gained during the Arab Spring uprisings. The interim parliament will discuss the proposal for a temporary technocratic government on Thursday, with the possibility of approval from the assembly. However, the dysfunctional nature of the assembly may lead to prolonged deadlock, further fueling unrest. The opposition seems to be using the crisis to their advantage, potentially deepening the political uncertainty and increasing tensions among supporters of the secular opposition. Many Tunisians are concerned about the growing influence of hardline Islamist groups and fear that Ennahda is falling under their control. Major powers are urging Tunisians to transition peacefully to democracy, as the discontent over the lack of progress towards improved living standards continues to simmer. Investor concerns over the crisis have caused the cost of insuring Tunisian government bonds against default to rise to its highest level in over four years. However, Tunisia's economy remains weaker than that of Egypt due to the lack of significant oil and gas resources. Tourism is a major source of income for Tunisia, and continued unrest could discourage visitors. Following protests on Wednesday, Jebali announced that discussions on restructuring the government had failed because of disagreements within the coalition. One secular party threatened to leave unless Ennahda changed some of its ministers. Opposition parties demanded that Jebali consult with them before dissolving the cabinet. Maya Jribi, leader of the Republican party, stressed the importance of consulting with all parties. Beji Caid Essebsi, former prime minister and leader of Nida Touns, called for the resignation of the entire government. Before his death, Belaid was criticizing a culture of violence in Tunisia. Ennahda and its secularist allies in the coalition government have been criticized for their tolerance towards Salafists, which has allowed the rise of groups hostile to modern culture and liberal ideas. Similar to Egypt, secular leaders have accused Islamists of trying to impose strict religious beliefs in the new state. This disagreement has delayed progress on a constitution and parliamentary election. Unlike Egypt, Ennahda has struggled to form a strong partnership with state institutions, leaving them with limited resources to address political opposition and demands for government reform.