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In Tunisia, President Kaïs SAïed Ensures “Preparing the Exit” From the State of Emergency

After sacking the Prime Minister and freezing the activities of Parliament on July 25, the Head of State promises a return to “national dialogue”.

Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed assured “prepare the exit” from the state of emergency in force since July 25, during a telephone conversation with the head of American diplomacy Antony Blinken, the Tunisian presidency said on Sunday (November 21st).

The Tunisia “preparing the next steps” policies to “get out of the exceptional situation” in which the country finds itself, assured Mr. Saied Antony Blinken Saturday night, saying “his will” bring the country to a “normal situation”.

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On July 25, the president surprised the whole world by sacking the prime minister, freezing the activities of parliament, and regaining control of the judiciary. He then promulgated on September 22 a decree formalizing the suspension of certain chapters of the Constitution and establishing “exceptional measures”, the time to carry out “political reforms”.

Mr. Saïed, who has made no secret of his desire to establish a presidential political system, wants to have the constitutional changes approved by referendum, before any new parliamentary ballot.

“Power grabbing”

He justified his decisions by an “imminent danger” linked to political blockages and the deep socio-economic and health crisis in which Tunisia found itself in July. Its detractors, however, denounce a “coup” and “a grabbing of power”.

To Mr. Blinken, Mr. Saïed explained that he had acted in the face of a Tunisian Parliament which had “turned into a theater of clashes” where “the work was repeatedly disrupted by verbal and physical violence”. He also underlined that the economic and social difficulties are “the essential problem” of Tunisia.

The unemployment rate has now reached 18.4% and the country, whose growth remains weak (3 to 4% forecast for 2021), recently asked the IMF for new aid of nearly 4 billion dollars (3.3 billion dollars). ‘euros).

This amount corresponds to the deficit forecast for 2021 (9.8 billion dinars), which Tunisia intends to fill with bond issues and with the help of foreign donors including sister countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, already requested, for the moment without success.

“National dialogue”

In a tweet, Mr. Blinken confirmed having discussed with Mr. Saïed “recent events and government initiatives” in Tunisia, which according to a statement from the U.S. State Department, refers to the formation of the government in mid-October and to measures envisaged to face the economic difficulties.

Mr. Blinken said he “encouraged” the president to engage in “a transparent and inclusive reform process in order to face the major political, economic and social challenges of Tunisia”.

Several international and Tunisian NGOs, as well as the European Union, called on the Head of State to restore the democratic process, by starting discussions with the opposition and reopening Parliament.

The president assured Thursday in the Council of Ministers to put the finishing touches to a process of “national dialogue” mainly involving young people and associating the political parties as well as the powerful central union UGTT.

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