in Tunisia, the new constitution approved by a very large majority

For the Tunisians who invaded Bourguiba Avenue in the center of Tunis around midnight, there was no longer any question of debating legitimacy, dictatorship or votes cast: it was just a question of celebrating the birth of the 3rd Republic. “It’s the most beautiful thing that could happen to Tunisia, after twelve years of mismanagement, of lies!”, enthuses a passerby.

“It’s a great victory! Here you have real democracy, not that of the elites, the do-gooders or the bourgeois, but the democracy of the people!”

This July 25 becomes a day of celebration for Tunisia, which celebrates its new constitution, approved almost unanimously: according to a poll at the exit of the polls, carried out by Sigma Conseil and broadcast by State television, the suffrage won 92.3% of the vote. But only a little over a quarter (28%) of Tunisian voters turned out to vote. The opposition to President Kaïs Saied, who called for a boycott, fears an authoritarian drift: indeed, the new text will give vast prerogatives without being accountable.

This referendum is seen in the streets as a hope: that of getting out of the political crisis, which according to this woman had lasted for too long: “We are for the presidential regime. Personally, I was against the parliamentary regime from the start and I was sure that it was not going to work. And indeed, for ten years, it has not worked!” In the crosshairs of the crowd, the religious party Ennahda which had been in control since 2011 and whose management is widely criticized.

It must be said that the President Kaïs Saïed enjoys a high degree of popularity in the streets of the Tunisian capital. “He’s a good customer.assures this seller of the souk, he buys makrouds from me.“He therefore voted yes to the draft new constitution, “I am a good customer, I always remain loyal.“And the political argument runs deeper than it seems. A president who loves cakes and coffee cannot be a dictator, assures another man:”He drinks coffee with us! Black coffee !“

This is one of the strengths of the Tunisian head of state: he has the image of a simple man, close to people, and his austerity inspires confidence. “The main thing for me is that he is courageous, that he is integratede, underlines another passerby. Maybe he will be a good president.” But the elites are much more suspicious.

“In this new Constitution [qu’il veut faire approuver]he has all the executive powers, the legislative powers, the judicial powers and the religious powers!”

Hamma Hamami, of the Tunisian Workers’ Party

at franceinfo

And the official results of the ballot will take time to arrive: we are talking about the end of August, once all the appeals have been completed. Three years after gaining power democratically, and one year after having neutralized all counter-powers, President Kaïs Saïed is therefore preparing to benefit from a Constitution tailor-made for him.