A new constitution in Tunisia has been approved

According to the results of a referendum that were released on Tuesday, Tunisians voted in favor of a new constitution that will cement the one-man rule that President Kais Saied has instituted over the past year. This will be a body blow to the democracy that was built in Tunisia with a tremendous amount of effort and high hopes following the overthrow of the country’s dictator more than a decade ago.

It was in Tunisia in 2011 that the Arab Spring revolutions first got their start. Since then, the rest of the world has hailed the country as the sole democracy to emerge unscathed from the wave of revolts that swept across the region. But with the adoption of the new charter, which solidifies Mr. Saied’s almost unchecked power that he gave himself a year ago when he shut down Parliament and fired his prime minister, that chapter is almost over.

The referendum that took place on Monday, despite this, was undermined by widespread boycotts, apathy among voters, and a setup that was excessively weighted in Mr. Saied’s favor. According to the results that were made public by the election administration, the Constitution received approval from 94.6 percent of voters. A few hours after the polls closed, Mr. Saied gave an address to his supporters in the downtown area of Tunis. He noted that the significance of the moment was shown by the throngs of people who turned out today across the country. “Turning the page on poverty, hopelessness, and injustice begins today.”

Related Posts

Mr. Saied has denied that there is any drift toward authoritarianism in his words. However, the new Constitution will return Tunisia to a presidential system similar to the one it had under Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, the authoritarian ruler who was overthrown in 2011 during the so-called Jasmine Revolution. In addition, it reduces the power of Parliament and most of the other checks and balances on the president’s power. At the same time, it gives the president the final power to form a government, choose judges, and propose laws.

It maintains the majority of the provisions of the Constitution of 2014 that deal with rights and liberties. However, in contrast to the previous Constitution, which split power between Parliament and the president, the new Constitution reduces the legislative branch and the judicial branch to a status that is more akin to that of civil servants. It also gives the president the sole power to choose ministers and judges for the government, and it makes it harder for Parliament to pull its support from the government.

Sagrika Giri

Recent Posts

At least 7 members of the Nigerian security forces are missing after insurgentsambushed their convoy

A team of 80 security agents tasked with protecting the electricity grid was ambushed onMonday in Shiroro, Niger State, by…

November 21, 2024

Cryptocurrency Gains Momentum inAfrica Amid Global Shifts in Trump’sElection

Cryptocurrency becomes the new thing in Africa. People shift for stable alternatives aftertheir unstable local currencies. Many people believe Donald…

November 21, 2024

UAE Delivers Lifeline: 30,000 Food BasketsBring Hope to Sudanese Refugees in Uganda

UAE has also distributed 30,000 food baskets to Sudanese refugees in Kiryandongo refugeecamp Uganda to benefit nearly 100,000 affected people.Aid…

November 21, 2024

Turkey wants to increase its trade with Africa to 50 billion dollars

The trade volume between Türkiye and 54 African countries has grown sevenfold, reaching $37 billion from 2003 to 2023, Yılmaz…

November 20, 2024

Tanzania, Botswana, and Mozambique Secure Spots in 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

The final round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches was held this week with Tanzania, Botswana and…

November 20, 2024

Lucas Moripe: The Masterpiece of SA Football Leaves a Legacy

'Masterpieces' Lucas Moripe passed away at his Atteridgeville home on Tuesday at his senior year of 71. His style of…

November 20, 2024

This website uses cookies.