Tunisians demonstrated in Republic Square in the French capital, Paris, to protest what they described as the coup of Tunisian President Kais Saied against the constitution, while former Tunisian President Mohamed Moncef Marzouki called on Tunisians to demonstrate massively tomorrow, Sunday, to defend democracy.
The demonstrators demanded Saeed to undo the coup against the constitution and the gains of the revolution, and to put an end to his tendency to monopolize power, as they put it.
The demonstrators called for the release of prisoners of conscience, especially journalists, for the reactivation of the constitutional institutions that have been inoperative in the country since last July 25, to allow Parliament to resume its work, and to return to the democratic path.
The demonstrators accused the Tunisian president of disrupting state institutions and leading the country into the unknown, they said.
In the same context, former Tunisian President Mohamed Moncef Marzouki said, "I call on Tunisians to demonstrate massively on Sunday, in defense of the constitution, democracy and national sovereignty and in defense of their dignity and freedom."
He added in a video address to the citizens of his country via Facebook, "I am fully confident that the souls of the martyrs of Tunisia who called for the Tunisian parliament, which is an institution against autocracy, will accompany you in the demonstration, because you continue their struggles."
Speech of Dr. Moncef Marzouki to the Tunisian people - 08-10-2021 Speech of Dr. Moncef Marzouki to the Tunisian people.
To prevent the Egyptian scenario and the destruction of Tunisia led by the coup... There is no solution to save the country other than the Tunisian scenario led by the people of the citizens
Posted by Moncef Marzouki on Friday, October 8, 2021
Al-Marzouki added, "There must be a massive presence in this demonstration, regardless of any party, ideological or personal affiliation."
He stressed the need for Tunisians to leave all personal and ideological rivalries aside, stressing that the state is in the process of bankruptcy and the psychological crisis of the people is exacerbating, as well as external interference.
Marzouki suggested the return of Parliament, the resignation of its current speaker, Rashid Ghannouchi, in favor of a president or chairwoman, with the unanimity of all political parties, and the resignation or dismissal of Kais Saied.
"After that, we will go through a simple transitional period lasting 45 days and the return of sovereignty to the people through early, free and fair elections," he said.
Since last July 25, Tunisia has been experiencing a severe political crisis, as Said began a series of decisions, including freezing the competencies of Parliament, lifting the immunity of its deputies, abolishing the constitutionality monitoring body, issuing legislation by presidential decrees, chairing the Public Prosecution, and dismissing the Prime Minister, provided that he Executive power with government assistance.
The majority of political forces reject Said's exceptional decisions, and consider them a "coup against the constitution", in light of the political, economic and health crises (the Corona pandemic).
Other forces support it, seeing it as a "correction of the course of the 2011 revolution", which at that time overthrew the regime of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali (1987-2011).