Tunisian President Kais Saied announced on Saturday evening the appointment "
as soon as possible
" of a new government and spoke of an upcoming reform of the Constitution, during a nighttime walkabout in Tunis.
A new government will be "
formed as soon as possible
" after "
selection of the most honest personalities,
" said Mr. Saied, on Wataniya and Sky News Arabia televisions, after having strolled, under guard, on Bourguiba avenue which crosses the heart of the capital.
Read alsoWhere is Tunisia heading after the president's coup?
He did not give a precise date for the formation of the government, adding: "
we are continuing the search for personalities who will assume this responsibility
".
President Saied also referred to the 2014 Constitution, saying that he “
respects it but that we can introduce amendments to the text
”.
According to him, “
the Tunisian people have rejected the Constitution
” and “
the Constitutions are not eternal
”.
In his view, therefore, it is necessary to “
amend while respecting the Constitution
”, bearing in mind that “
sovereignty belongs to the people
”.
In recent days, many media have speculated on the forthcoming announcement of a provisional government followed by a revision of the Constitution then to be submitted to universal suffrage via a referendum, before new legislative elections.
On July 25, Saied sacked the Prime Minister, suspended the activities of Parliament and also arrogated the judiciary, for a renewable month before extending these measures on August 24, "
until further notice
".
Legal theorist and teacher, Kais Saied has presented himself since his surprise election by a large majority at the end of 2019 as the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution. It relied on its article 80 which envisages exceptional measures in the event of "
imminent danger
" to national security, to justify the decisions taken more than a month and a half ago.
