On Monday 25 July 2022, a referendum was held in Tunisia to strengthen the powers of the head of state. Despite the opposition of some to the draft new constitution, the referendum turned out victoriously in favour of the President Kaïs Saïed. The new constitution was therefore voted to extend the powers of the Tunisian head of state
“Do you approve the draft of the new Constitution of the Tunisian Republic?” A question to which more than nine million Tunisians are invited to respond. Indeed, due to the deep political crisis in Tunisia, the head of state Kaïs Saïed, in order to strengthen his power at the head of the country, proposed a constitutional referendum to the population. This referendum took place one year to the day that the President took power.
A referendum voted unanimously in favour of President Kais Saied
After the vote, an exit poll suggests that the majority of voters voted in favour of changing the country’s constitution. More than 2.6 million of the country’s 9.3 million voters supported the new charter, which gives extensive powers to President Kais Saied. For example, the head of the electoral commission of the Independent Superior Instance for Elections (ISIE) said that 94.6% of valid ballots said “yes” to the new constitution with a turnout of 30.5%. Several words of congratulations were announced by supporters of Kais Saied who won despite the many groups of opponents predicting his downfall “I wish him victory against his enemies, we hope that God will protect him from those who wish him harm. Congratulations, congratulations, take care Kais Saied! exclaims one of the supporters.
New Tunisian constitution approved
Logically, the new Tunisian constitution was approved. This new constitution submitted to the vote establishes a hyper-presidential regime, massively reinforcing the powers of the head of state. It also plans to expand the prerogatives of the president.
However, for some Tunisians, these measures have raised fears of a return to autocracy, but have been welcomed by others. Let us note that on Saturday 23 July 2022, many opposition demonstrations were triggered to suspend the current government. The latter want the immediate departure of President Kaïs Saïed. As a reminder, it is already a year since President Kaïs Saïed took over all powers. He then dismissed his prime minister and shut down parliament before dissolving it in March 2021. Since then, the country has been in the grip of a deep political crisis.
Charbel Ahouandjinou(Stag)
