A power struggle has been raging in Tunisia for months.
Now President Saied seems to be reaching for the scepter - apparently with the backing of the military.
Critics speak of a coup.
Tunis - Tunisia's President Kais Saied has removed Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi from his post in a surprising move and suspended the work of parliament for the time being.
Saied announced on Sunday evening after a crisis meeting with representatives of the military and security authorities that he himself would take over the business of government together with a new prime minister.
In addition, the immunity of all MPs will be lifted.
According to the Office of the President, the work of parliament is to be suspended for 30 days.
Months of power struggle
“We are experiencing one of the most sensitive moments in Tunisian history.
It is indeed the most dangerous minutes, ”Saied said in a video address.
He was to be seen at the head of a conference table, together with some military and officials and next to him the Tunisian flag.
“We work within the legal framework,” said Saied.
The Islamic conservative Ennahda, the largest party in the country, spoke of a "coup".
The Tunisians would defend the success of their “revolution”, however, Ennahda boss Rached Ghannouchi announced on Facebook - apparently in relation to the Arab uprisings of 2011. It was a “coup” against the constitution.
In the evening there were reports of attacks on several party's offices.
Saied's supporters took to the streets that evening cheering.
Some set off fireworks, others gathered in groups with flags, as seen on videos on the Internet.
Military helicopters circled over the parliament in Tunis at night.
Army soldiers were also deployed in other parts of the capital.
Pandemic plays a role
The announcements follow protests critical of the government in several parts of the country due to the sharp rise in the number of corona cases and an ongoing economic crisis.
The demonstrators called for the resignation of the government and the dissolution of parliament.
Tunisia is currently experiencing a sharp increase in the number of corona cases.
So far, 555,000 corona infections and around 18,000 deaths have been reported.
The vaccinations are making slow progress.
A power struggle has been raging for months between the former law professor Saied, in office since October 2019, as well as Mechichi and parliament.
Saied said the steps he announced were within the legal framework of the constitution.
Article 80 grants him the right to take extraordinary measures in the event of a "serious threat to the unity, security and independence of the country".
Democracy with starting difficulties
Many Tunisians have lost confidence in the political elite and should see Saied's announcements as long overdue action.
Critics, on the other hand, fear a return to authoritarian rule, such as under the long-term ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who was in power in Tunisia for more than 20 years and who was overthrown in 2011 after mass protests.
Tunisia has been the only country in the region to transition to democracy since the Arab uprisings.
However, it continues to struggle with an economic crisis, high unemployment and widespread corruption.
dpa