From the fall of Ben Ali to the unexpected rise of Kaïs Saïed in September 2019, then his takeover since July 25, 2021, the Tunisian political system is in a permanent turmoil. After more than 50 years of dictatorship, the country's new political actors must now deal with new issues facing a population still waiting for changes.
Although Kais Saied has significant support since his election, economic issues and the suppression of criticism raise concerns. A recent survey reveals that half of Tunisians oppose his decision to suspend the Parliament, and 20% are hesitant to openly express their opposition. Dataviz.
Tunisia has always been a passionate supporter of the Palestinian cause, whether through its international stance or its unwillingness to normalize relations with Israel. Since the war broke out on October 7, there has been a remarkable surge of solidarity. But, for Palestinians living in Tunisia, this support has its limits. Explained.
In his electoral campaign, Kais Saied had vowed to uphold the independence of the judiciary and limit its interference with political power. But once he had seized full power on July 25, 2021, the Head of State embarked on a journey to gradually erode the autonomy of the Tunisian judiciary, employing a series of incremental measures.
Two years ago, Kais Saied took full command of the country, asserting his authority through a series of decrees that granted him unrestricted powers. In a bold move, he declared himself the sole legislator, picking and choosing the areas of State intervention as he saw fit, with no oversight or accountability from any official authority. The sheer number of decrees he has passed, spanning a wide range of issues, sheds light on the President's priorities, as he drags Tunisia into an ever-deepening democratic crisis.
Tunis and Moscow have been increasingly close — at the cost of relations with the West, which had once looked to Tunisia as a model of democracy. The two countries are brought together by Kremlin's efforts to woo African countries, but also a natural alliance of its strongman Presidents Putin and Saïed.
The individuals under investigation in the so-called case of conspiracy against State security are facing serious charges under the 2015 counter-terrorism law and the Criminal Code, which could potentially lead to the death penalty. Inkyfada has delved into the investigation, uncovering the details of the case and the evidence that the investigating judges brought against the defendants.
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