Head of constitution-drafting panel disavows Tunisia’s new charter
TUNIS, Tunisia (AA) – The chairman of Tunisia’s constitution-drafting committee on Sunday disavowed the country’s new charter.
“The draft constitution includes gross risks and paves the way for [the creation of] an outrageous dictatorial regime,” Sadok Belaid said in a message published by the local Assabah newspaper.
He said the draft, which will be put for vote on July 25, “has nothing to do with the draft prepared and sent to the president.”
“The committee is innocent from the draft constitution published by the president,” he added.
Tunisians are scheduled to vote on July 25 in a public referendum on an amended version of the constitution.
Under the new draft constitution published by the country’s official gazette on Thursday, the government will answer to the president, not to the parliament.
The draft also gives power to the president to dissolve the parliament who could serve for two terms of five years. The 142-article document also says that Tunisia is a republic with a presidential system.
Tunisia has been in the throes of a deep political crisis that aggravated the country’s economic conditions since President Kais Saied ousted the government, suspended parliament and assumed executive authority in July 2021.
While Saied insists that his measures were meant to “save” the country, critics have accused him of orchestrating a coup.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
