Tunisia-President Saied: I applied the Constitution

The President of the Republic Kais Saied, emphasised Monday during a meeting at Carthage presidential palace with leaders of national organizations, his respect for the rights and freedoms as well as the deadlines of application of the exceptional measures and of announcing the establishment of a new government in the coming days.

In a speech, the head of state dismissed reports that he carried out a coup, declaring that the decisions taken are in accordance with the Constitution. he said

The president noted that after “the single party” Tunisia came under the control of the “single lobby”, he explained that these decisions were taken in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. “It surprises me that some people speak about a coup. I studied and taught law. I know what a putsch is…I simply applied the Constitution ”, he maintained, emphasising that he had summoned the prime minister to notify him of his decisions and that he had called the house speaker to inform him of his recourse to article 80 of the Constitution.

In this sense, he referred to the decline of the situation in Parliament, describing what was occurring there as humiliating. “We attacked the presidency of the Republic, the Tunisian General Labor Union, the president of the Tunisian Union of Industry, Commerce and Handicrafts ….Parliamentary immunity enables you to exercise your role with complete independence and freedom but not to insult people! “, He said.

The President of the Republic sent a message to citizens asserting that the state was still standing and that it would not permit an attack on freedoms and rights or even equality between citizens. He invited citizens to avoid confrontations in the street.

“Today I assume this historic responsibility and those who allege that it is a putsch have only to revise their law courses. . We are not putschists! “. The head of state announced his decisions would remain in effect for thirty days, remarking that it is only a reorganization of powers as the danger passes, particularly with reference to the health crisis.