“Coup” in Tunisia: President Dismissed Parliament, PM

[Insaanistan]

Tunisia has been hailed as the Arab Spring’s biggest success, proof that Revolution in the Arab World could indeed bring change. The country ousted President Zine Abidine Ben Ali in the 2011 Revolution and established itself as a democracy. That is, according to many, until now.

Tunisia had been suffering in the COVID-19 pandemic from rises cases and a scarcity of vaccines. Just recently, protests erupted across the country demanding gate resignation of the Prime Minister and Parliament. On Sunday, Tunisia’s president, Kaïs Saïed, dismissed Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and dissolved parliament. He maintains his actions are in line with the constitution. The move is receiving very strong yet very mixed reactions in Tunisia, from celebrations in some areas to protests in others. Saïed is under fire for what many see as an autocratic and unconstitutional attempt to seize total power in the North African nation.

So people, what’s next for the beacon of hope in the Arab World? Will it pull through this crisis or seep into a state of instability that will be advantageous to ISIS (DAESH) militants, who have repeatedly attacked the country?
Sources:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/tuni ... t-n1274980
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/2 ... -500-words

[Shrillland]

At the moment, I'm more inclined to take a wait and see attitude as to what will happen next.

[Kowani]

Saied fires Defense Minister Ibrahim Bartaji and acting Justice Minister Hasna Ben Slimane

[Punished UMN]

Saied was elected overwhelmingly, and the parliament and PM were implicated in a massive corruption scandal last month, I don't think the parliament has the legitimacy to really have maintained power and the dismissal may well help to lower tensions in the long-run.

[Thermodolia]

Well being that Tunisia is a semi-Presidental republic the president may have the right to dismiss the government at will like in Russia or it might be like France where the president can dismiss the government but only by dissolving the legislature and calling fresh elections.

So this might not be a coup at all and just a president who’s pissed at his underlings

[Genivaria]

Well being that Tunisia is a semi-Presidental republic the president may have the right to dismiss the government at will like in Russia or it might be like France where the president can dismiss the government but only by dissolving the legislature and calling fresh elections.

So this might not be a coup at all and just a president who’s pissed at his underlings

If that's the case than the president shouldn't be the focus but a constitutional convention.

[Exalted Inquellian State]

Is it dissolved for reelection or indefinitely suspended?

[Punished UMN]

Is it dissolved for reelection or indefinitely suspended?

Suspended for 30 days IIRC.

[Punished UMN]

Well being that Tunisia is a semi-Presidental republic the president may have the right to dismiss the government at will like in Russia or it might be like France where the president can dismiss the government but only by dissolving the legislature and calling fresh elections.

So this might not be a coup at all and just a president who’s pissed at his underlings

If that's the case than the president shouldn't be the focus but a constitutional convention.

Tbh most countries have some means for the sovereign executive to dissolve or dismiss the government.

[Genivaria]

If that's the case than the president shouldn't be the focus but a constitutional convention.

Tbh most countries have some means for the sovereign executive to dissolve or dismiss the government.

Well I meant more for people who take issue with the president doing this as 'autocratic' or 'dictatorial'.
Merely pointing out that if they are so concerned than the constitution shouldn't allow them the power to do that.
I have no issue on it since I don't know enough about the situation.

Granted I don't favor a strong executive anymore like I used to.

[Exalted Inquellian State]

Tbh most countries have some means for the sovereign executive to dissolve or dismiss the government.

Well I meant more for people who take issue with the president doing this as 'autocratic' or 'dictatorial'.
Merely pointing out that if they are so concerned than the constitution shouldn't allow them the power to do that.
I have no issue on it since I don't know enough about the situation.

Granted I don't favor a strong executive anymore like I used to.

In the UK the PM can dissolve parliament for reelection, and in Russia the President can fire the Prime Minister. Many countries allow this.

[Exalted Inquellian State]

Is it dissolved for reelection or indefinitely suspended?

Suspended for 30 days IIRC.

Oh ok so it's not a coup.

[Thermodolia]

Well I meant more for people who take issue with the president doing this as 'autocratic' or 'dictatorial'.
Merely pointing out that if they are so concerned than the constitution shouldn't allow them the power to do that.
I have no issue on it since I don't know enough about the situation.

Granted I don't favor a strong executive anymore like I used to.

In the UK the PM can dissolve parliament for reelection, and in Russia the President can fire the Prime Minister. Many countries allow this.

Yes but the UK PM can only ask the monarch to dissolve the parliament. They can’t unilaterally do it themselves. And technically, while no monarch in recent times has done it, the monarch can refuse to dissolve the parliament

[Exalted Inquellian State]

In the UK the PM can dissolve parliament for reelection, and in Russia the President can fire the Prime Minister. Many countries allow this.

Yes but the UK PM can only ask the monarch to dissolve the parliament. They can’t unilaterally do it themselves. And technically, while no monarch in recent times has done it, the monarch can refuse to dissolve the parliament

Well, okay, technically the monarch dissolves parliament, but the point remains, the executive does it.

[New Rogernomics]

I think it is a bit hard to see this as a straightforward coup, as in Presidential systems, the President is the head of state. The head of state in a lot of Presidential systems can consider themselves as having the power to suspend the legislature temporarily in a crisis, if not hold new elections. Though if the President keeps it suspended and doesn't hold new elections, then it certainly would be a coup.

[Thermodolia]

I think it is a bit hard to see this as a straightforward coup, as in Presidential systems, the President is the head of state. The head of state in a lot of Presidential systems can consider themselves as having the power to suspend the legislature temporarily in a crisis, if not hold new elections. Though if the President keeps it suspended and doesn't hold new elections, then it certainly would be a coup.

Well this isn’t a Presidential system, it’s a semi-Presidential system similar to France. However the president has the constitutional power to suspend the the legislature or dissolve it entirely for a new elections.

According to sources the legislature is to be suspended for 30 days, so if it remains suspended past that date then we can call it a coup

[Amjedia]

Saied was elected overwhelmingly, and the parliament and PM were implicated in a massive corruption scandal last month, I don't think the parliament has the legitimacy to really have maintained power and the dismissal may well help to lower tensions in the long-run.

I agree with you here. What the President did is right.

In fact demand to dissolve or freeze the parliament date from months ago.

Anyway, better late than never. There is still a lot to do and People must stay vigilant.

[Immortan Khan]

Apparently coups are when Presidents exercise their legitimate authority.

[Kowani]

Tunisian airports and borders closed

[Sungoldy-China]

After all, these political issues are still economic issues，
When will Tunisia's economy recover?
If this question is not answered, this fragile model of democracy will soon return to its traditions like other Arab countries.

[Insaanistan]

After all, these political issues are still economic issues，
When will Tunisia's economy recover?
If this question is not answered, this fragile model of democracy will soon return to its traditions like other Arab countries.

You know dictatorship and poor quality of life aren’t traditions, right?

[Kowani]

Ennahda denounces the "coup" and calls it unconstitutional, but it calls for dialogue to exit the current crisis, instead of calling on supporters to mobilize

[Kowani]

Tunisian security forces have arrested MPs Maher Zid and Mohamed Affes of Al-Karama (an Islamist party opposed to Kais Saied's actions), they've both been placed in provisional detention in connection with a military investigation

[Gim]

After all, these political issues are still economic issues，
When will Tunisia's economy recover?
If this question is not answered, this fragile model of democracy will soon return to its traditions like other Arab countries.

Or China can fund them in exchange for investments.

[Exalted Inquellian State]

Tunisian security forces have arrested MPs Maher Zid and Mohamed Affes of Al-Karama (an Islamist party opposed to Kais Saied's actions), they've both been placed in provisional detention in connection with a military investigation

Okay, this is starting to seem suspicious.