Tunisian President Kais Saied drew a deluge of criticism on Tuesday after his decision to extend the freeze on Parliament for one year, his opponents seeing a new authoritarian drift three days before the eleventh anniversary of the revolt that overthrew the dictatorship.
Four and a half months after suspending, on July 25, the Parliament dominated by the Islamist-inspired party Ennahdha, his pet peeve, Mr. Saied proceeded on Monday to a dissolution that does not speak his name of the assembly by extending its freeze until the new legislative election, the date of which he set for December 17, 2022.
The head of state also announced in his speech a referendum for July 25 on amendments to the Constitution, which he wants more presidential, and the electoral law which will govern the legislative elections.
In the midst of the socioeconomic and health crisis and after months of political blockage, Mr. Saied, elected by universal suffrage at the end of 2019, invoked on July 25 an “imminent danger” to dismiss the Prime Minister supported by Ennahdha, suspend the activities of Parliament and regain control of the judiciary.
The ambassadors of the member countries of the G7 and of the European Union (EU) in Tunisia on Friday called for a “rapid” return to democratic institutions.
“Infallible Prophet”
If Mr. Saied, who prides himself on a strong support within a public opinion exasperated by blockages and corruption, conceives the calendar unveiled Monday as a roadmap to turn the page on the crisis, his opponents accuse of seeking to extend its monopoly of power.
“His speech can be summarized as follows: I am the State, I am the president, I am the government, I am justice, I am the electoral commission, I am the people, I am the infallible prophet”, reacted on his Facebook page, opposition MP Hichem Ajbouni.
Mr. Saied indicated that the amendments he intends to submit to referendum would be the synthesis of proposals drawn up through “popular consultations” to be carried out from the 1er January on electronic platforms assigned to this exercise.
For the deputy Samir Dilou, ex-member of Ennahdha, “Saied will launch an electronic referendum likely to make Tunisia an object of ridicule”.
His speech “reflects the state of denial in which he lives and his refusal to listen to anyone”, he added in a daily interview. Assabah.
“No blank check”
Mr. Saied “seems determined to carry out his political project, ignoring pressure at home and abroad,” analyst Slaheddine Jourchi told AFP. “He is trying to pull the rug out from under the feet of his opponents by announcing a calendar with specific dates. “
His speech indeed took place a few days before the demonstrations planned by his opponents, but also his supporters, on December 17, the day of celebration of the eleventh anniversary of the revolt which ousted Zine el Abidine Ben Ali from power and gave the coup d ‘ sending to the Arab Spring.
“The big problem is that he will continue to rule by decree. His political conflict with his opponents will worsen, ”according to Mr. Jourchi.
The presidential speech drew mixed reactions in the streets.
“It’s important to put things on the constitutional and legal track and tie them to a timetable. But, regarding current issues such as employment, poverty, marginalization and the prosecution of those who have committed crimes against the country, his speech is still far from it, ”Nizar ben Ahmida told AFP, a 37-year-old teacher.
“I have retained the fact that there will be elections on December 17, 2022. I think that is too far. He is saving time, ”said another Tunisian, Nidhal, 35.
The head of the powerful Tunisian trade union center (UGTT), Noureddine Taboubi, told the press that Mr. Saied’s speech was “devoid of vision for economic and social orientations”.
And to add: “we supported his announcements of July 25 (last), but we did not give him a blank check”.