Tunisian President Kais Saied decided to dismiss Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, freeze the powers of Parliament headed by Rached Ghannouchi, and raise the immunity of all deputies in a major escalation of the political conflict in the democratic country.
In the wake of the recent statements, Tunisian Parliament Speaker Rached Ghannouchi accused President Kais Saied of “a coup against the revolution and the constitution”, after Saeed announced on Sunday the freezing of parliament and the dismissal of the government.
“We consider the institutions still standing, and the supporters of Ennahda and the Tunisian people will defend the revolution,” said Ghannouchi, leader of the Ennahda party.
The decision of President Kais Saied came after the protests in the country against the current government and the political belt supporting it, led by the Ennahda movement.
The president added that he would take over the executive branch with the help of a new prime minister, in the biggest challenge since the adoption of the constitution in 2014, which divided powers between the president, the prime minister and parliament.
“We did not want to resort to measures despite the fulfillment of the constitutional conditions, but on the other hand, many people are accused of hypocrisy, treachery and the robbery of the rights of the people,” the president said in a statement broadcast by state media.
He added, “I warn many who think of resorting to weapons… Whoever shoots a bullet, the armed forces will confront him with bullets.”
