Tunisia political turmoil: President ousts PM, suspends parliament

Tunisian President Kais Saied has dismissed the country’s prime minister and suspended parliament following a day of rallies against the ruling Ennahda Party, a move greeted with both celebrations and protests on the streets.

Saied announced on Sunday he would assume executive authority with the assistance of a new prime minister, in what is seen as the biggest challenge yet to the democratic system Tunisia introduced following a 2011 revolution that ousted former Western-backed ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

According to Press TV, in a televised statement announcing the move, Saied warned against any violent response, saying, “I warn any who think of resorting to weapons... and whoever shoots a bullet, the armed forces will respond with bullets.”

The president added that his actions were in line with Article 80 of the constitution, and also cited the article to suspend the immunity of members of parliament.

“Many people were deceived by hypocrisy, treachery and robbery of the rights of the people,” he proclaimed.

The president’s supporters erupted in celebration over the move, but opponents in parliament accused him of staging a coup.

Earlier on Sunday, thousands of Tunisians marched in several cities protesting against the ruling Islamic Ennahda Party, slamming the government’s handling of a surging COVID-19 pandemic on top of the nation’s economic and social woes.

After Saied announced the suspension of parliament following an emergency meeting at his palace, the sounds of car horns and fireworks filled the central Habib Bourguiba Avenue -- the epicenter of the 2011 revolution. The president also joined the protesters in the street, state television images showed.

However, the extent of backing for Saied's moves against a fragile government of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and the divided parliament was not clear, as Parliament Speaker Rached Ghannouchi also urged Tunisians to come into the streets to block what he described as "a coup against the revolution and constitution."

ME