Referendum in Tunisia: President Saied reaches for autocracy
Created: 07/24/2022, 06:36
By: Nail Akkoyun
Tunisia: A demonstration against the upcoming constitutional referendum and President Kais Saïed on July 7th.
In the middle is Abir Moussi, leader of the Free Destur party.
© Chokri Mahjoub/Imago
A referendum on the new constitution is pending in Tunisia.
A constitution that would only give the unpopular President Saied even more power.
Tunis – On July 25, Tunisia is due to vote on a new constitution.
A constitution that would probably expand the already almost unlimited power of President Kais Saied even further.
The news blog tunesienexplorer.de
published an overview of the cornerstones of the planned constitution translated into German
.
The change in the term “Arab Spring” is emblematic of the development of the North African country – the series of protests in Tunisia were originally started in the hope of a democratic system and an improved human rights situation.
The country was then seen as a model state for years, but the Arab Spring is no longer a source of optimism.
Tunisia News: Many people don't believe in a fair referendum - and are demonstrating
According to the draft constitution, in future local councils will nominate MPs instead of the parties criticized by Saied.
Exactly one year before the vote, on June 25, 2021, the conservative politician dismissed the government of Hichem Mechichi after mass demonstrations and declared himself de facto sole ruler.
The executive and judiciary would henceforth be entirely under Saied's direct control.
The 64-year-old could personally appoint posts in courts and assign ministry positions.
In addition, Saied would have the support of a head of government who would be appointed by himself.
It's no wonder that the draft presented has met with resistance from the opposition, the trade unions and a large part of the population - sometimes in the form of violent protests.
Tunisia-News: Government could in future largely be provided by the President
Although people in Tunisia have been able to submit proposals to the constitutional commission online since January, this was mostly not possible due to technical problems, as the
Süddeutsche
reports.
In the end, only seven percent of the approximately 9 million people entitled to vote took part in the process - possibly also because there is now a complete lack of belief in a legitimate referendum in Tunisia.
official language | Arabic |
|---|---|
capital city | Tunis |
form of government and government | semi-presidential republic |
head of state | Kais Saied |
head of government | Najla Bouden Romdhane |
Surface | 163,610 km² |
population | 11.9 million (2021) |
currency | Tunisian dinar (TND) |
national holiday | March, 20th |
New constitution: Referendum likely to have a massive impact on Tunisia's future and that of the president
The fact is that the new constitution would significantly increase the power of the president.
Speaking to the broadcaster
Deutsche Welle
, human and women's rights activist Bochra Belhaj Hmida said that the draft "obviously poses a threat to democracy" in Tunisia.
"We see the entire achievements of the revolution in question - such as freedom of speech and freedom of association," she said.
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Questionable formulations in the draft also give cause for concern: For example, it says that Tunisia is "part of the Islamic community" and that one must work "to achieve the goals of Islam".
What exactly that means for the country is unclear - but it is foreseeable that democracy can only suffer from too much religious influence in the long run.
(nak)