The episode "Scenarios" (9/22/2022) continued the controversy raised by the electoral law, and the fears of reducing the role of political parties or even marginalizing them, as Tunisians are 3 months away from the legislative elections scheduled for next December 17.
The state of anticipation continues for the outcome of these elections, and the gray areas in the new electoral law that will determine the composition of the next parliament, as well as the decree against rumors.
In this regard, writer and political analyst Salah al-Din al-Jourshi considered that Tunisian President Kais Saied is taking, through the new electoral law, the last step in his own agenda, which is firing the last shot at political parties.
He pointed out that this law represents a stab in the back, as it works through its chapters to establish an "unreal" parliament for the country, as he put it, because the candidate will represent the small party to which he belongs only and does not represent the people.
On the other hand, Riad Al-Shuaibi, adviser to the President of the Ennahda Movement, said that the electoral law enables broad popular participation in the elections, and limits the system of wasteful votes, which is a reaction to the parliament of smugglers and farce, as he described it.
He considered that the new law allows for the formation of strong parliamentary blocs, and reshapes the political scene towards the absence of volatility and the empowerment of parties with a popular base free of ideologies.
For his part, the leader of the Popular Current, Jamal Mars, considered that the political debate would have seemed fruitful if the country had lived in a true democratic climate and a participatory political process, as it was before July 25.
He explained that in that period, laws were issued by Parliament and reflected a lot of diversity and freedom, stressing that Tunisia was living in a phase of an authoritarian project for the executive authority, and considered the judicial and legislative authority to be mere dependents of it.
What is the new law?
It is noteworthy that the new law limits the number of seats allocated to electoral districts at home to 151 seats, while the electoral districts abroad have 10 seats. .
The opposition National Salvation Front announced its rejection of the election law in total and in detail. Front leader Ahmed Najib Chebbi described the law as authoritarian, stressing that the election law is valid only if it is approved by an absolute majority of the House of Representatives.
Tunisian President Kais Saied also issued a decree on crimes related to communication and information systems, and the decree stipulates a prison sentence of 5 years and a fine of 50,000 dinars for anyone who spreads "false news" or "rumours" through "communication networks and information systems" with the aim of "assaulting the rights of others" or harming public security.” The penalty is up to 10 years and a fine of 100,000 dinars if the target is a public employee.
The head of the Journalists Syndicate, Mehdi Jelassi, described the decree as a new setback for rights and freedoms, and a strong blow to the values of the revolution that granted freedom to journalists and all Tunisians.