The US newspaper "Washington Post" said that Tunisian President Kais Saied faces growing opposition ahead of the constitutional referendum, which aims to consolidate one-man rule in the country.
The newspaper pointed out - in a report prepared by Claire Parker, its correspondent in Tunisia - that the growing rejection in the Tunisian street comes a year after Qais Saeed assembled almost all of the authorities in his hand, and his coup against the nascent democracy in the country that arose after the events of the Arab Spring.
She also indicated that President Said decided to hold a popular referendum on a new constitution for the country on July 25, in which he seeks to legitimize the process of restructuring Tunisia's political institutions.
According to the Washington Post, the draft of the new constitution is expected to be unveiled next Wednesday, and the draft is also expected to propose a system of government based on a strong president who appoints a prime minister.
Features of a system of government
The newspaper's report indicated that President Saeed calls for a system of government that gives the president and local rulers more powers, while weakening the authority of Parliament and political parties, while critics believe that a system in this way would create a suitable climate for the return of authoritarianism.
Since July 25, 2021, Tunisia has been experiencing a severe political crisis when President Said began imposing exceptional measures, including dismissing the government, appointing others, dissolving Parliament and the Judicial Council, and issuing legislation by judicial decrees.
Tunisian forces see these measures as a coup against the constitution, while other forces see them as a correction to the course of the 2011 revolution. As for President Saeed, he said that his measures are measures within the framework of the constitution to protect the state from imminent danger.
The Washington Post report notes that President Said, who is pursuing a "dictatorship approach";
He is facing growing opposition in recent months.
On June 16, the Tunisian General Labor Union announced a general strike in response to proposed negotiations between the government and the International Monetary Fund for the purpose of obtaining a $4 billion loan in exchange for implementing austerity measures, at a time when Tunisia's poor are struggling to obtain food.
Hundreds of thousands of public sector workers participated in the strike, which paralyzed transport by land and air and closed government offices.
The newspaper pointed out that while President Said continues his measures to abort democratic achievements in Tunisia, the role of the Labor Union - which was among 4 Tunisian civil society organizations that won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015 - is emerging as a barrier against a return to dictatorial rule.
The report dealt with some of the violations committed by the Tunisian president recently, including the arrest of former Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali, the prosecution of the judicial institution and the dismissal of 57 judges this June, which led to weekly protests and strikes.