Tensions high in Tunisia after president suspends parliament

Tensions spread on the streets and divisions dominated the political scene in Tunisia on Monday, after President Kais Saied’s decision to sack the prime minister and suspend parliament.

Saied had announced on Sunday that he was assuming executive authority along with a new prime minister to replace Hichem Mechichi, who was also in charge of the Interior Ministry.

The decisions come amid deepening political, health and economic crises in the country.

On Monday, Saied also relieved Defence Minister Ibrahim Bartagi and Acting Justice Minister Hasna Ben Slimane of their posts, the presidency said in a statement.

They will not act as caretaker ministers, as Saied ordered lower-ranking administrative and finance officials at each ministry to carry out any needed tasks until a new premier and cabinet are appointed.

Military forces were deployed around the government’s offices in Tunis in the morning. Employees were stopped from entering the building, a source at the Cabinet told dpa.

Supporters of the Ennahda movement, Tunisia’s largest political party, gathered outside parliament after the party called for protecting “the revolution and people’s will.”

The party decried Saied’s decisions as a coup.

Ennahda leader and head of parliament Rached Ghannouchi and other lawmakers tried to enter the building early on Monday, but were stopped by the military.

“We are the military, implementing instructions ... that parliament is closed,” a member of military personnel was heard telling them in a video posted by Ennahda.

Hours later, some protesters climbed the closed gate of parliament shouting “open the door,” while an armoured vehicle was parked behind it. 
-Tunis (dpa), 
26 July, 2021