Tunisia’s President Kais Saied has removed Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi from his post in a surprising move. At the same time, he ordered the parliament in Tunis to stop its work for 30 days.
Saied announced after an evening crisis meeting with representatives of the military and security authorities that he himself would take over the business of government together with a new prime minister. In addition, the immunity of all MPs will be lifted. In the event of violent resistance, the president threatened to deploy the army.
“Most dangerous minutes”
“We are experiencing one of the most sensitive moments in Tunisian history. It is indeed the most dangerous minutes,” Saied said in a video address. At the same time, the former law professor assured: “We are working within the legal framework.” Article 80 of the constitution grants the head of state the right to take extraordinary measures in the event of a “serious threat to the unity, security and independence of the country”.
Incapable of dealing with the crisis? Hichem Mechichi (archive picture) was dismissed by the president
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The Islamic conservative Ennahda – the largest party in Tunisia and the dominant force in parliament – spoke of a “coup”. The Tunisians would defend the success of their “revolution”, however, stressed parliamentary president and Ennahda boss Rached Ghannouchi – apparently in relation to the “Arab Spring” of 2011. Ghannouchi said it was a “coup” against the constitution.
The “July 25th Movement”
The decision by the head of state was preceded by partly violent protests against the government on Sunday. The demonstrators accused Mechichi and the Ennahda of failing in the fight against the corona pandemic. The number of infections had risen sharply recently, and the vaccinations made only slow progress. A new group called the “Movement of July 25” had called for the protests on the 64th anniversary of Tunisia’s independence.
After Mechichi’s dismissal became known, supporters of Saied in Tunis took to the streets cheering. In the city center, hundreds celebrated by lighting flares and fireworks, waving flags and singing the national anthem. Army soldiers protected public facilities. Military helicopters circled over Parliament at night.
“This is the president we love”: Saied’s supporters celebrate the release of the prime minister
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Critics fear a return to authoritarian rule such as under Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who was in power in the North African country for more than 20 years and who was overthrown in 2011 after mass protests. Since the Arab uprisings, Tunisia has been the only state in the region to transition to democracy. However, it continues to struggle with an economic crisis, high unemployment and widespread corruption.
wa / ack (dpa, rtr, afp)
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