Tunisia-EU to demand inclusive dialogue to overcome political crisis

The EU Parliament is expected to call on Tunisian president Kais Saied to enter into dialogue with the country’s major political parties and civil society representatives to end the political crisis in Tunisia, reads a statement.

President Saied currently holds almost all executive, legislative and judicial powers, after he dismissed the prime minister and suspended parliament in July 2021. In September Saied also suspended, by presidential decree, the country’s Constitution.

This week President Saied appointed a new government by decree, headed by Najla Bouden Romdhane, Tunisia’s first female prime minister. The president has significantly reduced the powers of her office and will technically head the administration himself.

With thousands of Tunisians demonstrating in the streets in recent days in support of or in opposition to the president’s decisions, fears are growing that political divisions could spiral into violent confrontations between these rival camps, adds the same source.

MEPs will vote on a related resolution on Thursday.