'Tunisian Arab Spring': Curfew and Parliament Suspension... President Denies "Coup"

President Kais Saied
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Since Tunisian President Kais Saied dismissed the prime minister and suspended the functions of the parliament, and even imposed a nighttime curfew, Tunisia, the birthplace of the 'Arab Spring,' has faced its greatest political crisis since democratization in 2011.

In response to opposition criticism calling it a "coup," President Saied rebutted, saying it was a "legitimate legal act implementing constitutional provisions."

According to foreign media on the 26th (local time), President Saied declared a nighttime curfew that day.

The presidential office stated in a press release that for one month until the 27th of next month, movement of people and vehicles would be restricted daily from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., except for urgent health issues or night shift workers.

It also banned movement of people and vehicles between cities and prohibited gatherings of more than three people in public places such as roads and squares.

On the 26th (local time), the Tunisian military surrounded the headquarters of the state broadcaster in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, controlling access to the broadcasting station.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Earlier, President Saied announced the dismissal of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and the suspension of parliamentary functions for 30 days.

He also dismissed Defense Minister Ibrahim Bartaji and Acting Justice Minister Hasna Ben Slimane.

After the president's announcement, military vehicles surrounded the parliament building, blocking lawmakers' access, and confrontations occurred between protesters and soldiers outside the parliament.

In response to the president's actions, Ennahda, Tunisia's largest party, criticized Saied's decision on Facebook as a "coup against the constitution, Ennahda party members, and the Tunisian people."

Rached Ghannouchi, leader of Ennahda and speaker of the parliament, issued a statement pointing out that "President Saied is carrying out a coup under the name of the constitution."

President Saied countered that his actions were not a coup but "simply the execution of Article 80 of the constitution." According to this article, the president can suspend parliamentary functions in the event of an 'imminent danger.'

A former law professor, President Saied added, "I am someone who has studied law. I know well what a coup is," emphasizing, "The measures I have taken are legitimate actions under the constitution."

Supporters of President Kais Saied cheer on the news of the president's dismissal of the prime minister on the 25th (local time) on a street in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia.
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

He also said, "Many politicians are sacrificing the Tunisian people," expressing that his patience has reached its limit with the actions of 'thieves' trying to loot the revolution.

Furthermore, he urged, "Since the greatest danger is an internal explosion, the people should exercise restraint and not respond to provocations to rush into the streets."

International concern is also spreading over President Saied's measures.

White House spokesperson Jen Psaki commented, "We are concerned about what is happening in Tunisia. We are in contact with senior Tunisian officials," adding, "We want restraint and support Tunisia's efforts to follow democratic principles."

The European Union (EU) and others also urged Tunisia's key figures to uphold the constitution, establish legal order, and avoid situations where violence is used under the pretext of national stability.

Rached Ghannouchi, Speaker of the Tunisian Parliament
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Tunisia is the birthplace of the 'Arab Spring' uprisings that swept the Middle East in 2011 and is one of the few countries in the region to have succeeded in political democratization.

The first local elections since the Arab Spring were held in May 2018, and President Saied was elected through democratic elections in October 2019.

However, amid rising public dissatisfaction with economic difficulties including high unemployment, political conflicts, and corruption, protests against the government have continued, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic worsened the hardships.

Tunisia is the second most severely affected country by COVID-19 in Africa after South Africa, with more than 18,000 deaths so far due to the virus.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.