Tunisia: Ennahda urges president to lift parliament freeze, launch dialogue

Tunisia’s Ennahda movement yesterday urged the president to end the exceptional measures he imposed on 25 July and lift the parliament freeze.

The party renewed its demand for the return of the normal functioning of state institutions and the formation of a legitimate government.

In a press statement issued yesterday, the party also called for holding a national dialogue on controversial issues, most importantly the reforms related to the political system and the electoral law in preparation for organising early elections.

On 25 July, Tunisian President Kais Saied cited Article 80 of the constitution to dismiss Prime Minister Hicham Mechichi, freeze the work of parliament for 30 days, lift the immunity of ministers, and appoint himself as head of the executive authority until the formation of a new government. He has yet to appoint a PM and extended the measures indefinitely on 24 August.

Ennahda and other parties accuse President Saied of monopolising powers, while human rights organisations have criticised the imposition of travel bans and house arrest orders on businessmen, judges, MPs, and officials, under the pretext of fighting corruption.

Saied has repeatedly denied claims he plotted a coup.

READ: G7 urge Tunisia to resume constitutional path, appoint new PM