Emmanuel Macron encouraged the Tunisian president to carry out democratic and economic reforms to pacify Tunisia
The President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron spoke on Saturday with his Tunisian counterpart Kais Saied, calling on him to lead an “inclusive” transition, the Elysee Palace reported a week after a demonstration by opponents was brutally repressed in Tunis.
The two leaders “discussed the situation in Tunisia”, and Mr. Macron “welcomed the announcement of the transition timetable and encouraged President Saied to carry out the transition in the most inclusive framework possible”, according to the Elysée, which specifies that the Tunisian president “is committed to respecting the rule of law and democratic freedoms”.
Since July 25, 2021, citing multiple blockages, Mr. Saied has assumed full powers by suspending Parliament, dominated by the Islamist-inspired party Ennahdha, his pet peeve. Since then, he has governed by decree despite protests from opponents and national and international NGOs.
Legislative elections and referendum to amend the constitution
On December 13, Mr. Saied unveiled a roadmap to emerge from the political crisis with a legislative election scheduled for December 2022, after revision of the electoral law, and a referendum in July 2022 to amend the Constitution, which he wants more “presidential”, at the expense of Parliament.
On January 14, in scenes of violence that had not been seen in Tunis for ten years, the police charged the demonstrators with large reinforcements of water cannons and tear gas, and carried out dozens of arrests muscular. The demonstration had been decreed prohibited by the authorities due to a strong resurgence of the Covid-19 epidemic
According to the Élysée, Emmanuel Macron “also encouraged the Tunisian president to put in place a program of reforms necessary to deal with the economic crisis in Tunisia. He confirmed that France was as always ready to support Tunisia, and to accompany it in the implementation of these reforms”.
