🔴 Tunisia's President dismissed the government and froze the parliament on Sunday, July 25th, prompting massive protests. President Kais Saied said he would assume executive authority with the assistance of a new prime minister.

In a surprising move, Tunisia’s president Kais Saied dismissed the Government, froze the parliament, and lifted the immunity of its members on Sunday, July 25th after a day of mass protests against the country’s government and the Islamist party; Ennahda movement.

He also announced that he would assume executive authority with the assistance of a new prime minister and promised to implement many other decisions to put the country back on track after months of political crisis.

A move that many political rivals and parties described as a coup.

President Saied defended the constitutionality of his actions and justified them by invoking Article 80 of the Tunisian constitution, which authorizes the president to take “any measures necessitated” in case of “imminent threat jeopardizing the nation, and the country’s security and independence.

Public anger had been growing in the country after months of political paralysis and long-weeks spike in Covid-19 cases, record death rates, and the slow vaccinations – only 9.45% * of population are fully vaccinated - that aggravated the economic and social woes characterized by high unemployment rates 20%, and crumbling state infrastructure.

A new nationwide poll conducted by Emrhod Consulting finds that 87% of Tunisians support Kais Saied's recent actions.

* Source: Evax.tn - July 31st

Photo Credit: Tunisian Presidency