The party's foundation was announced when former prime minister Beji Caid Essebsi on 20 April 2012 launched his "Call for Tunisia" as a response to post-revolutionary "instances of disturbing extremism and violence that threaten public and individual liberties, as well as the security of the citizens". It was officially founded on 16 June 2012 and describes itself as a "modernist" and "social-democratic" party of the moderate left. However, it also includes notable economically liberal currents.