Tunisian President Kais Saied formalized his July 25 coup on Wednesday by promulgating exceptional provisions strengthening his powers to the detriment of the government and Parliament, which he will de facto replace by legislating by decree.

These provisions, which tend to presidentialize the hybrid government system framed by the 2014 Constitution, aroused the ire of the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party, Kais Saied's main opponent, in a country plagued by divisions and successive political crises. last years.

They also reinforce concerns for the sustainability of democracy in Tunisia, the only country to have succeeded in its democratic transition after the Arab Spring of which it was the cradle in 2011. “The legislative texts are taken in the form of decree-laws and promulgated by the President of the Republic ”, states one of the articles decided by Kais Saied and published in the

Official Journal

.

The text also states that “the president exercises executive power with the help of a Council of Ministers, headed by a head of government”.

The scales are tipping in the president's side

The presidential prerogatives listed in the text give Kais Saied the right to appoint and dismiss ministers, appoint diplomats posted abroad and make senior civil service appointments. "The government is responsible for its actions before the President of the Republic", further specifies the text. In the current system governed by the 2014 Constitution that Kais Saied wants to amend, most of the executive power is in the hands of the government and the measures announced on Wednesday clearly tip the scales in the presidency's side.

On July 25, 63-year-old Kais Saied took full power by dismissing the government and suspending parliament in which Ennahdha, his pet peeve, played a pivotal role.

He extended these measures on August 24 “until further notice”.

Many Tunisians welcomed these measures with enthusiasm because, exasperated by their political class, they expected strong acts against corruption and impunity in a country in serious social and economic difficulties.

But opponents, political parties, magistrates and lawyers had said they feared an “authoritarian drift”.

"The power of one man"

Kais Saied on Wednesday announced the continuation of the freezing of Parliament and the promulgation of "exceptional measures" for "the exercise of legislative power" and "the exercise of executive power", which are the subject of two chapters of the Constitution, now suspended de facto. To underline the transitory nature of these decisions, the presidential decree adds that Kais Saied "undertakes the preparation of draft amendments relating to political reforms with the assistance of a commission which will be organized by presidential decree".

“On September 22, Tunisia made the transition from democratic power to one-man power,” responded on Facebook Samir Dilou, a leader of Ennahdha.

Another party official, Mohammad Al-Goumani, accused Kais Saied of "putting in place a new shortened constitution, thus turning against the 2014 one he was sworn in."

“It is leading Tunisia to a high risk area.

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