Tunisia .. The European Union stresses the need to set a timetable for the return to the constitutional system

The European Union's High Commissioner for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell made a call with Tunisian President Kais Saied, in which he discussed the developments in Tunisia, where a severe political crisis has cast a shadow over the country since last July 25.

A statement by the Tunisian presidency stated that President Said explained to Borrell the reasons why he had taken the exceptional measures and explained the current situation in Tunisia from his point of view.

The statement referred to Borrell's pledge to report the data given to him by Kais Saied to the Council of Foreign Ministers of the European Union member states and to members of the European Parliament.

On the other hand, a statement by the European Commission revealed that Borrell stressed during the call the importance of setting a well-defined timetable for returning to the constitutional system in Tunisia based on the separation of powers, respect for the rule of law, parliamentary democracy and the protection of fundamental freedoms.

The European Commission statement added that Borrell stressed that President Saied must address the country's urgent economic and health challenges.

He expressed his hope that the formation of the new government would be an important first step towards preserving the democratic gains.

Borrell indicated that the European Union will determine on the basis of concrete actions and measures taken by the Tunisian authorities the best ways to support democracy, stability and prosperity in Tunisia.

He concluded by saying that the European Union would continue to follow the situation in the country with the utmost attention.

The two sides met in Tunisia more than a month ago (European)

political crisis

Since last July 25, Tunisia has been suffering from a severe political crisis, as President Kais Saied began a series of exceptional decisions, including freezing the competencies of Parliament, lifting the immunity of its deputies, abolishing the constitutionality monitoring body, issuing legislation by presidential decrees, headed by the Public Prosecution, and dismissing the Prime Minister. .

On September 22 last, Saeed issued “exceptional” measures according to which the government became responsible to him while he himself issued legislation by decree instead of Parliament, which experts considered as a prelude to changing the country’s parliamentary political system stipulated in the 2014 constitution.

Most of the political forces - including the "Ennahda" movement - rejected Said's exceptional decisions, and considered them a coup against the constitution, while other forces supported them and saw them as a correction of the course of the 2011 revolution, in light of the political, economic and health crises (the Corona pandemic).

On Monday, the Tunisian president unveiled the new government headed by Najla Bouden, which will focus on "saving the country" and fighting corruption.

resentment and return

Yesterday, Friday, the "Tunisia Movement of the Will" party expressed its dissatisfaction with the establishment of what it described as a "coup" as a fait accompli, while a Tunisian court opened an investigation into the statements of former President Moncef Marzouki, in which he said that he sought to thwart holding the Francophone summit in his country at the end of this year 2021. .

In a statement, the party called on the Tunisian people to defend the gains of the revolution, expressing its condemnation of the rhetoric of violence and treason used by the head of state, Qais Saeed.

The party added that the growing rhetoric of treason and describing the opponents as traitors is an authoritarian discourse par excellence.

Habib Tarkhani, the official spokesman for the Court of Appeals in the capital, Tunis, confirmed that an investigation had been opened into Marzouki's statements in France.

A protest rally against President Saied in the capital, Tunis, last Sunday (Reuters)

Reply statements

Last Tuesday, Marzouki told the French channel France 24 that he was "proud of his efforts with French officials to thwart the holding of the Francophone summit in Tunisia, given that organizing it in a country undergoing a coup is an endorsement of dictatorship and tyranny," as he put it.

After it was to be held on the island of Djerba (southeast of Tunisia) - during next November - the Permanent Council of Francophonie recommended last Tuesday to postpone the summit until next year, while preserving Tunisia's right to host.

On Thursday, President Saied said that the diplomatic passport would be withdrawn from anyone who went abroad and begged him to attack Tunisian interests.

Referring to Marzouki's travel on a diplomatic passport to France, and the statement about the Francophone summit.

Saeed called on the Minister of Justice to open a judicial investigation into this issue, because there is no room for conspiracy against the internal and external security of the state.

On the other hand, former Tunisian President Marzouki said that President Kais Saied had no legitimacy after perjuring the constitutional oath, and that the government had no legitimacy because it did not have the approval of the Tunisian Parliament.