Tunisian President Kais Saied Suspends Parliament, Dismisses PM Hichem Mechichi

Tunisian President Kais Saied announced Sunday the suspension of
parliament and dismissal of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi
following a day of protests against the ruling party, which
condemned the move as a “coup d’etat”.

Earlier Sunday, thousands of Tunisians had marched in several
cities protesting against the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party,
criticising what they said were government failures in the North
African nation and a crippling coronavirus surge.

After Saied announced parliament’s suspension following an
emergency meeting at his palace, the sounds of car horns and
fireworks filled the streets.

In Tunis, hundreds defied a coronavirus curfew to congregate on
the capital’s roads.

“Finally some good decisions!” Maher, celebrating in the city’s
northwest, told AFP.

Thirty-something Nahla, brandishing a Tunisian flag, was
jubilant.

“These are courageous decisions — Saied is unblocking Tunisia,”
she told AFP. “This is the president we love!”

Since Saied was elected president in 2019, he has been locked in
a showdown with Mechichi and parliament speaker Rached Ghannouchi,
a rivalry that has blocked ministerial appointments and diverted
resources from tackling Tunisia’s many economic and social
problems.

‘Imminent danger’

“We are navigating the most delicate moments in the history of
Tunisia,” Saied said Sunday.

He said the constitution did not allow for the dissolution of
parliament but did allow him to suspend it, citing Article 80 which
permits it in case of “imminent danger”.

In a later Facebook post, he clarified that the suspension would
be for 30 days.

“I have taken the necessary decisions to save Tunisia, the state
and the Tunisian people,” he added.

“What Kais Saied is doing is a coup d’etat against the
revolution and against the constitution, and the members of
Ennahdha and the Tunisian people will defend the revolution,” the
party countered in a statement on Facebook.

The premier’s office had not responded to his sacking on Sunday
night.

Saied said he would take over executive power “with the help” of
a government, whose new chief will be appointed by the president
himself.

He also said that parliamentary immunity would be lifted for
deputies.

A senior Ennahdha official, speaking to AFP on condition of
anonymity, said the protests and subsequent celebrations had been
orchestrated by Saied.

“We are also capable of organizing large demonstrations to show
the number of Tunisians who are opposed to these decisions,” they
said.

‘A true statesman’

Earlier Sunday in Tunis, hundreds rallied in front of
parliament, shouting slogans against Ennahdha and premier
Mechichi.

Demonstrations were also reported in the towns of Gafsa,
Kairouan, Monastir, Sousse and Tozeur.

Several protesters were arrested and a journalist was injured
when people hurled stones and police fired tear gas canisters, an
AFP reporter said.

“The people want the dissolution of parliament,” the crowd
chanted.

After Saied’s announcement, Tunis Farhat, a 49-year-old in
Gafsa, told AFP that the president had understood what people
wanted.

“He has shown himself to be a true statesman,” he said.

“Our patience has reached its limit, there’s no room for losers.
That’s it, game is over!” said 24-year-old Ibrahim, echoing an old
slogan from the massive demonstrations which toppled dictator Zine
El Abidine Ben Ali’s regime in 2011.

But one man in his forties watched on without enthusiasm.

“These fools are celebrating the birth of a new dictator,” he
said.

Despite a decade passing since the 2011 revolution, Tunisia
remains prone to political turmoil that has stymied efforts to
revive crumbling public services.

The country’s fractious political class has been unable to form
lasting, effective governments.

Tunisia has recently been overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases,
including more than 18,000 deaths.

Last week, Mechichi fired his health minister over his handling
of the pandemic as cases skyrocketed.

Tunisian President Kais Saied announced Sunday the suspension of
parliament and dismissal of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi
following a day of protests against the ruling party, which
condemned the move as a “coup d’etat”.

Earlier Sunday, thousands of Tunisians had marched in several
cities protesting against the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party,
criticising what they said were government failures in the North
African nation and a crippling coronavirus surge.

After Saied announced parliament’s suspension following an
emergency meeting at his palace, the sounds of car horns and
fireworks filled the streets.

In Tunis, hundreds defied a coronavirus curfew to congregate on
the capital’s roads.

“Finally some good decisions!” Maher, celebrating in the city’s
northwest, told AFP.

Thirty-something Nahla, brandishing a Tunisian flag, was
jubilant.

“These are courageous decisions — Saied is unblocking Tunisia,”
she told AFP. “This is the president we love!”

Since Saied was elected president in 2019, he has been locked in
a showdown with Mechichi and parliament speaker Rached Ghannouchi,
a rivalry that has blocked ministerial appointments and diverted
resources from tackling Tunisia’s many economic and social
problems.

‘Imminent danger’

“We are navigating the most delicate moments in the history of
Tunisia,” Saied said Sunday.

He said the constitution did not allow for the dissolution of
parliament but did allow him to suspend it, citing Article 80 which
permits it in case of “imminent danger”.

In a later Facebook post, he clarified that the suspension would
be for 30 days.

“I have taken the necessary decisions to save Tunisia, the state
and the Tunisian people,” he added.

“What Kais Saied is doing is a coup d’etat against the
revolution and against the constitution, and the members of
Ennahdha and the Tunisian people will defend the revolution,” the
party countered in a statement on Facebook.

The premier’s office had not responded to his sacking on Sunday
night.

Saied said he would take over executive power “with the help” of
a government, whose new chief will be appointed by the president
himself.

He also said that parliamentary immunity would be lifted for
deputies.

A senior Ennahdha official, speaking to AFP on condition of
anonymity, said the protests and subsequent celebrations had been
orchestrated by Saied.

“We are also capable of organizing large demonstrations to show
the number of Tunisians who are opposed to these decisions,” they
said.

‘A true statesman’

Earlier Sunday in Tunis, hundreds rallied in front of
parliament, shouting slogans against Ennahdha and premier
Mechichi.

Demonstrations were also reported in the towns of Gafsa,
Kairouan, Monastir, Sousse and Tozeur.

Several protesters were arrested and a journalist was injured
when people hurled stones and police fired tear gas canisters, an
AFP reporter said.

“The people want the dissolution of parliament,” the crowd
chanted.

After Saied’s announcement, Tunis Farhat, a 49-year-old in
Gafsa, told AFP that the president had understood what people
wanted.

“He has shown himself to be a true statesman,” he said.

“Our patience has reached its limit, there’s no room for losers.
That’s it, game is over!” said 24-year-old Ibrahim, echoing an old
slogan from the massive demonstrations which toppled dictator Zine
El Abidine Ben Ali’s regime in 2011.

But one man in his forties watched on without enthusiasm.

“These fools are celebrating the birth of a new dictator,” he
said.

Despite a decade passing since the 2011 revolution, Tunisia
remains prone to political turmoil that has stymied efforts to
revive crumbling public services.

The country’s fractious political class has been unable to form
lasting, effective governments.

Tunisia has recently been overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases,
including more than 18,000 deaths.

Last week, Mechichi fired his health minister over his handling
of the pandemic as cases skyrocketed.