Tunisian President Kais Saied on Wednesday dissolved the country’s parliament, eight months after suspending it in a July power grab, reported Reuters.
“Today, at this historic moment, I announce the dissolution of the Assembly of Representatives of the people, to preserve the state and its institutions,” Mr. Saied said in a meeting of the National Security Council on Wednesday.
The Tunisian president made the announcement just hours after the parliament voted in an online meeting to repeal presidential decrees that suspended their chamber and gave Kais near-total power. About 124 MPs out of the total 217 attended the online session and 116 voted against his “exceptional measures”.
Saied declared the meeting illegal and denounced the move as a coup attempt. He said those responsible had “betrayed” the nation. His government said it would investigate the lawmakers who had taken part in Wednesday’s session.
Elected in 2019 amid public anger against the political class, the former constitutional law professor sacked the government on July 25 last year, dismissed his own prime minister and other officials, froze the assembly, and seized wide-ranging powers. He later gave himself powers to rule and legislate by decree and seized control over the judiciary in what rivals saw as further blows to democracy.
The president has promised to have a new Constitution drafted and put to a referendum this year, followed by the election of a new Parliament.
Earlier this week, the United States raised concern about the political feud in the North African nation and urged Tunisian authorities to respect freedom of expression and stop civilian-military trials.
In a statement following a visit to Tunisia, Uzra Zeya, US under-secretary for civilian security, democracy, and human rights, said the authorities should initiate an inclusive political and economic reform process, in coordination with political parties, unions, and civil society.
