They gathered on the central mile Habib Bourguiba on Sunday and started chanting in favor of Saied. So they shouted “The people want the dissolution of parliament”, based on the battle cry “The people want the overthrow of the regime” that was widespread in the Arab Spring.
At the end of July, after a month-long power struggle, Saied deposed Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and suspended the work of parliament. Last month he also announced that he would rule by decree and change articles of the constitution that regulate the responsibilities of the legislative and executive branches. In doing so, he paves the way for the expansion of his own powers.
Last Wednesday, the head of state appointed the 59-year-old geology professor Nejla Bouden as the new prime minister of the North African country. She is the first woman in history Tunisiawho is at the head of the government.
Saied was reacting to the increasing pressure. A week ago, thousands protested against the head of state in the center of the capital. The largest union in the country with hundreds of thousands of members also recently warned against the expansion of Saied’s powers. This is a danger to democracy.
Tunisia is the only country in the region that made the transition to democracy during the Arab uprisings in 2011. However, many Tunisians are very disappointed in politics, not least because of the poor economic situation. In addition, in Tunisia corruption widespread. Many members of parliament are also considered to be corruptible.
