Asia

Explained: Why has the Tunisian president suspended the prime minister and dissolved the parliament?

August 5, 2021
Henry Club

After ten years of democracy and many leaders struggling to maintain it, Tunisia is facing its biggest turmoil since President Kais Saied suspended Prime Minister Hikem Mechichi and parliament a week ago .

The President said that this step has been taken in the midst of the economic troubles that have been going on in the country for years and the government’s plight. coronavirus pandemic pandemic.

What is the current crisis?

President Kais Saied invoked an emergency act, Article 80, from Tunisia’s constitution on Sunday (25 July), and removed the prime minister and suspended parliament the next day. Sayeed took over executive powers in the country, promising to appoint a new leader to be chosen by him. Saeed has given relief to the country’s cabinet ministers and appointed caretaker ministers.

Tunisia, considered the hope of democracy in the Arab world, has seen one leader after another with little or no respite for the country’s citizens.

This step of Syed has come after a massive protest by the people. COVID-19 In protest against the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic by taking to the protocol and streets.

According to GuardianWith health services deteriorating since the pandemic began, 18,000 people have died in Tunisia out of a population of 12 million. Government data shows that while only 7 per cent of the population has been vaccinated, 90 per cent of ICU beds are occupied.

Several protesters called for the dissolution of parliament and re-election in protests organized by a group called the “25 July Movement”.

While the legitimacy of the move has been questioned by many, including the country’s largest party, the Ennadha Party, which has claimed Syed is attempting a coup, the president has repeatedly stated that he firmly believes in democracy. .

Days after Saeed took over as a leader in the country, he jailed senior officials, judges, detained judges, opposition lawmakers, accused opposition members and placed judges under house arrest.

The Tunisian president has relieved cabinet ministers from their duties and other post holders including the Tunisian Ambassador to Washington, the Minister of Economy, the Minister of Communications and Technology, the Secretary of State for the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Syed also appointed Acting Minister of Economy, Finance and Investment Assistance; and communication technology.

Al Jazeera reported that its offices in Tunisia’s capital Tunis were raided and its journalists expelled and equipment confiscated.

Saeed also banned gatherings of more than three people in public places and a nationwide curfew a day after Parliament was dissolved.

What is Article 80?

Article 80 of the Constitution, which President Saeed used to remove the prime minister and suspend parliament, gives the president the power to take necessary measures “in the event of imminent danger to the institutions of the country or to the security or independence of the country”. . and obstructing the normal functioning of the State.”

The constitution states that under the article the president has to consult the head of government and the speaker of the assembly of the people’s representatives. He would also need to notify the President of the Constitutional Court.

Although it states that the measures taken should guarantee a return to normalcy as soon as possible, it also adds, “In this situation, the President of the Republic cannot dissolve the Assembly of the People’s Representatives and its Can move a motion of censure against the government cannot be introduced.

Thirty days after the move, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Thirty People may approach the Constitutional Court to verify whether the situation has changed. It may take up to 15 days for the court to decide.

Who is Kais Syed?

Kais Syed, 63, was a constitutional professor by profession, with no political background and little political experience. Without any party, Sayeed won a landslide victory in the 2019 election.

Since he had no political background, Tunisians saw Saeed as a commoner, like all Tunisians, fighting against widespread corruption in the country.

As The Guardian reports, Saeed presented himself as a leader who was a staunch opposition to LGBTO+ rights, was against corruption and was a candidate for social justice. After gaining power, he also expressed the need for a new constitution and more presidential powers.

Parliament Speaker Rachid Ghanouchi and ousted Prime Minister Mechichi have had bitter relations with Saeed since he was elected president.

What is the democratic history of Tunisia?

In January 2011, Tunisia staged a protest against the authoritarian government of Zine al-Abedin Ben Ali, when a fruit vendor, who was harassed by police, killed himself.

The demonstrations were so widespread that the Tunisian authorities were overwhelmed. As a result, Ali fled to Saudi Arabia.

Middle East unrest – protests in Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen, Iran and Algeria; There are civil wars in Libya and Syria, and opposition from all Middle Eastern countries. This unrest was called the “Arab Spring”. While Egypt returned to military rule, Syria’s civil war escalated and other countries also broke into civil war, Tunisia was one country where democracy emerged as a solution to the protests.

In October 2011, Tunisia held its first democratic election with a coalition of liberal and Islamic parties coming to power. The Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet, a group of civil society organizations responsible for helping democracy and bringing about constitutional settlements, also won the Nobel Prize in 2015.

Beji Caid Essebi took over as interim prime minister for 10 months from February 2011, after which, Hamdi Jebali was prime minister for 15 months; Then Ali Larayadh for 10 months; Mehdi Joma for 13 months; Habib Essid for 18 months; Yusuf Chahad for almost four years; Alice Fakhfakh for six months; And then Hikeme Mechichi for 10 months.

Tunisia has had eight prime ministers since 2011. Governments have faced serious allegations of corruption and economic degradation over the years.

In January this year, Tunisia saw strong protests from citizens over the bankruptcy and economic turmoil that the country has been facing for some time and the pandemic has made it worse.

How has the world reacted to Kais Syed’s move?

While the move has been applauded by many in the country, especially the youth, many have expressed concern over Saeed’s coup in the country.

In a statement, Amnesty International said, “After suspending parliament and assuming certain judicial powers, Tunisian President Kais Saied has been determined to respect and protect public human rights, including freedom of expression, association and the rights of peaceful assembly.” Must be deeply committed.”

Amnesty International also expressed its concern over the raids on Al Jazeera offices by security forces and “the president’s threats during his speech to resort to heavy force against those who threaten the security of the state”.

According to the official website of the United States government, Secretary Antony J. Blinken spoke on the call with Saeed and “encouraged President Saeed to adhere to the principles of democracy and human rights that are the basis of governance in Tunisia” and “urged him to have open dialogue with all political actors and the Tunisian people.” Keep it up.”

Ennahdha issued a statement Facebook, which states that the House of Representatives “holds President Saeed fully responsible for the legal, moral and punitive consequences of his invocation, and considers it null and void”.

The party also tweeted, “The Assembly Bureau calls for the removal of the heinous coup and full vigil until its devastating effects on the security and stability of #Tunisia and the freedom and development aspirations of its great people are removed.”

The German Foreign Ministry’s office tweeted: “It is important to return to the constitutional order quickly. Civil liberties must be preserved and the working capacity of Parliament restored.”

what next?

While the president is known to have won public support in dissolving parliament and suspending the cabinet, many have called on him to restore democracy and democratically handle the situation in the country.

The national administrative body of the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT) issued Statement on Tuesday that the union highly values ​​the president’s move and considers it “a real reform path, a platform for the continued accumulation of conflict, a response to popular demands and the will of the majority to save the country from crisis”. . This has been faced by the choice of successive ruling coalitions and the system of governance that bears the first and primary responsibility of making the people poor and harming the people.

The statement said the union calls for an “early end to the extraordinary period” and “expediting the appointment of a prime minister” who will seek to provide jobs, address poverty and marginalization, compensate for the loss of jobs, health and education. Will work towards promotion. .

.

Leave a Reply