It’s the country’s democratic constitution’s largest test since it was established in 2014.

[Tunisia crisis 2021]

Tunisian President Kais Saied fired his opponent, Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, and dissolved parliament in a surprise declaration after demonstrators demanded the government resign amid COVID-exacerbated economic difficulties.

It’s the country’s democratic constitution’s largest test since it was established in 2014.

Saied stated that he would take executive responsibility with the help of a PM who would be chosen.

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What is the Article 80 in Tunisian Constitution? 

President Saied said that he is invoking Article 80 of the Tunisian Constitution which states, ” In the event of imminent danger threatening the nation’s institutions or the security or independence of the country and hampering the normal functioning of the state, the President of the Republic may take any measures necessitated by the exceptional circumstances, after consultation with the Head of Government and the speaker of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People and informing the President of the Constitutional Court. The President shall announce the measures in a statement to the people. “

However, Article 80 also states that parliament must be in continuous session, which runs counter to Saied’s decision to suspend parliament.

Before making a decision, the President must confer with other government officials, according to the article. Critics criticized the President of skipping the discussions, while Speaker of Parliament Rached al Ghannouchi said he had not been contacted and urged Tunisians to “protect the revolution.”

However, there are restrictions in the constitution that prevent Article 80 from being utilized forever. According to the article, the speaker or members of parliament can approach the Constitutional Court to assess if “the circumstances remain extraordinary” after 30 days of exceptional measures giving the President greater powers.

Saied, on the other hand, rejected a legislative proposal to establish such a court in April 2021. As a result, it is unable to protect the process. Members of the parliament will also lose their immunity, according to Saied.

Violent protests erupted across Tunisia just hours before Saied’s announcement. Many individuals believe the governments that emerged following the Jasmine Revolution betrayed them.

The COVID-19 epidemic has compounded Tunisia’s economic difficulties, and many Tunisians are furious at the government’s inability to deal with the health-care issue.

Many people rushed to the streets after Saied’s statement on Sunday to rejoice into the early hours of the morning. Others have described Saied’s move as a coup and a blow to Tunisia’s fledgling democracy. Lawmakers attempted to enter the Tunisian Parliament, but were prevented by Tunisian security personnel.

Crowds in support of the Tunisian government and supporters of the Ennahda party joined several MPs in front of the Parliament on Monday, yelling against Saied. Some fought with president’s supporters. Police raided an Al Jazeera office in Tunis, forcing journalists to flee, and critics have expressed outrage at the crackdown.

Former President Monchef Marzouki slammed the government’s removal, calling it a coup. Jawher Ben Mbarek and Yadh Ben Achour, two Tunisian legal scholars, condemned Saied’s judgment as a violation of the Constitution.

In a statement, the legislative office stated that it opposes the ruling and that it would continue to work whether in person or online. Political parties such as the Al Chaab movement and others, on the other hand, have expressed their support for Saied’s choice.

Tunisia is at a fork in the road that will most likely determine the outcome of its Arab Spring revolution.

[This article may resemble TRT World ]