Thousands of Tunisians took to the streets of Tunisia’s capital Tunis on Sunday to protest against President Kais Saied’s seizure of power, reported The Times of India.
The protest comes a week after Saied supporters demonstrated in support of their leader and his controversial decisions. They rallied in the capital to show their backing for his suspension of parliament and promise to change the political system.
“We will not accept the coup. Enough is enough,” said one of the protestors.
Back in July, Saied abruptly dismissed the prime minister, froze the parliament, and assumed all executive powers following nationwide anti-government protests.
The opposition, including the largest political party Ennahda, and critics criticized the move as a coup d’etat and a violation of the constitution. A majority of the Tunisians, who were frustrated by corruption and economic incompetence in a political class dominated by the Islamist Ennahda party, welcomed the president’s move.
But, Saied said he took the big decisions to save the country from a deteriorating economic, political, and health crisis. Last month he gave himself the power to rule by decree and partially suspended the 2014 constitution.
Last week, Former Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki had called on the people to come for protests on Sunday against the power grab by President Saied.
“I call on all Tunisians to rally on Sunday in defense of the constitution, democracy, freedom, and national sovereignty,” Marzouki said in a video posted on his Facebook page.
Last month, Saied named university lecturer Najla Bouden as the first Tunisian female prime minister and directed her to form a Cabinet to free Tunisia of political corruption. But she has not yet named a government, a much necessary step to boost any efforts to resolve Tunisia’s looming crisis.
The Tunisian parliament’s activities continue to remain ceased with the immunity of all its members still suspended.
