TUNIS, Tunisia: Protesters angry at the Tunisian presidents seizure of broad powers faced off with his supporters Saturday in competing demonstrations in the North African nation’s capital of Tunis.
It was the first time that President Kais Saieds critics demonstrated against his actions since he suspended parliament, fired the prime minister and assumed full executive powers on July 25. Saied said the measures were necessary to save the country amid tensions over Tunisias economic and virus crisis, and would only last a month. But he then extended them until further notice.
The move sidelined Tunisias powerful Islamist party Ennahdha and has thrown its young democracy into question.
His critics at Saturdays protest demanded that he reverse the measures, chanting Down with the coup! and Constitution, freedom, dignity! Ennahdha and other critics say the presidents move violated Tunisias post-Arab Spring constitution.
Gathered on the same Tunis avenue behind a police cordon, Saieds supporters shouted opposing chants and urged him to pursue promises to crack down on lawmakers blamed for Tunisias economic woes and its health issues amid the coronavirus pandemic.
But some of Saied’s supporters are growing disillusioned. Tunisia remains without a government that Saied has repeatedly promised to put in place in the coming days.
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