Tunisia: Left-wing opposition coalition warns of "Constitutional Coup"

A coalition of the Popular Front opposition parties in Tunisia on Tuesday warned of “serious” attempts to “overthrow the constitution” and “change the political system” in the country.

“There are real and serious attempts in Tunisia to overthrow the constitution and change the political system by the ruling coalition, which would lead to the loss of democratic gains,” coalition spokesman Hamma Hammami said in a news conference today.

“The political parties and the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) have to present a clear agenda and real commitments to hold municipal elections on their new date (March 25),” Hammami said.

On Monday, the head of Tunisia’s electoral commission, Anwar Ben Hassan, officially announced that the municipal elections, originally scheduled for 17 December, will be postponed to 25 March.

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“There is a political and economic crisis in Tunisia, resulting from the nature of the existing political alliance and the major choices that successive governments have taken,” the coalition spokesman said.

He added that “getting out of political crisis necessitates the consolidation of the Constitution and democracy, and respect for individual and public freedoms, and the reduction of tax evasion in order to get out of economic crisis.”

A few days ago, Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi called for a review of the political system in Tunisia.

He said, in an interview with a government newspaper: “Everyone confirms that the political system emanating from the current constitution has many inconsistencies. It is a political system which paralyzed government work, and its hybrid nature does not help the government – or any government- and the executive in general, to carry out their duties in the conduct of state affairs and the achievement of development “.

The Popular Front Parties coalition, founded on 7 October, 2012, has 11 leftist, nationalist and environmental parties and independent experts.