Opponents of President Saied have denounced the extension of the parliamentary freeze News

Former Ennahdha MP Dilou says the idea “would make Tunisia an object of ridicule” has been rejected by other members of the opposition.

Opponents of Tunisian President Kais Saied have denounced the decision to extend a month-long parliamentary suspension, citing another blow to the country’s democracy.

Monday evening President Saied said parliament would be suspended until the new elections on December 17 next year, the anniversary of the beginning of the revolution that ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali from power.

He promised that the reform of the Tunisian political system would proceed, after the government was ousted, the legislature froze and the broad executive branch seized power in July.

The former professor of constitutional law announced an 11-week “public consultation” on “constitutional and other reform projects” ahead of a referendum on July 25 next year.

It will be a year since he took power, a country in North Africa plunged into political and economic crises hampered by the coronavirus pandemic.

In October, Saied began governing by decree, raising fears of a single democracy that emerged from the 2011 Arab uprisings.

Monday’s announcement effectively disbanded his current ruling party, Ennahdha, which has played a major role in Tunisian politics since the fall of Ben Ali.

Although many Tunisians have welcomed Saied’s movement, there has been growing opposition to mass demonstrations at home and pressure from outside.

On Friday, it was represented by G7 authorities and the European Union he asked Tunisia has set a timetable for its return to democratic institutions.

‘I am the statue’

Opponents have accused Saedi of extending his individual rule and unilaterally restructuring the political system.

Former MP Hichem Ajbouni wrote on Facebook that Saied’s speech was summarized as follows: “I am the state, the president, the government, the parliament, the judiciary, and all those who oppose me are power hungry, liar, traitor, thief, agent or ignorant ”.

However, some Tunisians welcomed Saied’s latest move.

Nizar ben Ahmida, a 37-year-old teacher, stressed the importance of announcing the timeline. But he said there was a lack of details about “employment, poverty, marginalization and prosecution of those who have committed crimes against this country”.

A resident of Tunis, Nidhal, said the election date was too far away.

“[Saied] he is playing with time. He wants to put his ideas into practice, ”said the 35-year-old.

Saied said a consultation on constitutional reforms would be launched on January 1 through tailor-made electronic platforms.

These proposals would then be examined by a committee of experts appointed by the president before being taken to a referendum.

But former Ennahdha MP Samir Dilou said the idea “would make Tunisia ridiculous”.

“Saied’s speech reflects a state of denial and a refusal to listen to anyone, neither his supporters nor his opponents,” he told Assabah.

Tunisia has halted public debt, inflation, 18 percent unemployment and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund for the fourth bailout since the revolution.

But the 63-year-old president has remained steadfast in reviving the political system and confronting his accusing opponents, especially Ennahdha.

Following the takeover of the judiciary in July, the judge has urged judges to investigate alleged foreign funding for the 2019 parliamentary election campaigns.