The Assembly of Tunisian People’s Representatives (ARP), resulting from the early legislative elections of December 17, 2022, and January 29, 2023, is holding its first plenary session on Monday, March 13, in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 221 of March 8, 2023, inviting the holding of this meeting and the start of the work of the new Parliament.
According to the decree, “Members of the Assembly of People’s Representatives are invited to attend its inaugural plenary session on Monday, March 13, at the headquarters of the Assembly of People’s Representatives in Bardo (in the capital, Tunis).”
The new Assembly marks a break with the above, insofar as it emanates from a new Constitution adopted by referendum on July 25, 2022. Which Constitution introduced profound changes in the prerogatives of the legislative power, but also of the executive powers and judicial.
The last ARP, resulting from the 2019 legislative elections, in accordance with the February 2014 Constitution, was suspended on July 25, 2021, as part of exceptional measures decided by President Kaïs Saïed.
These measures also involved the dismissal of the government and the dissolution of the Superior Council of the Judiciary.
A few months later, in March 2022, President Kaïs Saïed decided to dissolve the old parliament and announced a revision of the Constitution, while all the measures he had taken were described as a “coup d’etat” by the parties. politicians most represented at the former ARP.
Thanks to the new changes, the number of deputies in the ARP has been reduced from 217 to 161, the political regime becomes presidential again whereas it was semi-parliamentary in the 2014 Constitution and the prerogatives of Parliament have been reduced, whereas those of the Executive spread out.
Thus, Tunisians were called to the polls to choose their new representatives, in the framework of a two-round uninominal vote, which resulted in a low turnout that did not exceed 11.2% and 11.4%, respectively on December 17 and January 29.
The new Assembly will not be complete for its first plenary, this Monday, insofar as the legislative elections could not take place in 7 constituencies abroad, for lack of valid candidacies.
The Independent High Authority for Elections will also organize by-elections to fill the vacant seats.
