Tunisia-Ridha Belhadj: When he was still alive Beji Caid Essebsi refused to activate Article 80

Amal Party Executive Director Ridha Belhaj stated that while he was alive the former President of the Republic, Beji Caid Essebsi declined to use Article 80 of the constitution.

At that time, he estimated that in the absence of the Constitutional Court, activating this article would amount to a coup d’etat, he added.

He said the matter was raised in the era of Habib Essid just after the two terrorist attacks targeting the Imperial Hotel in Sousse and the presidential guard bus at avenue Mohamed-V in the capital.

Belhadj said the likelihood of activating Article 80 was discussed at that time, but the former president, Béji Caïd Essebsi had refused this because he believed in democracy.