Democratic path will continue according to Tunisians' will, says president 

Tunisia’s democratic path will continue according to the will of the people, Tunisian President Kais Saied said yesterday.

Speaking at a meeting with the Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, Saied said that the measures he had taken were “within the framework of the Tunisian constitution.”

On 25 July, 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.

The majority of the country’s political parties slammed the move as a “coup against the constitution” and the achievements of the 2011 revolution.

“The democratic path in Tunisia will continue according to the people’s will, in order to build the rule of law on new foundations that will eliminate corruption,” Saied reiterated.

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

On his part, Dendias stressed on Greece’s “attachment to the friendly relations that unite the two countries,” noting that his country was “ready to continue its assistance and support within regional and international forums.”

Tunisia reportedly received 100,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine as a donation from Greece.