The President of Tunisia’s Ennhada Party Rached Ghannouchi has called for a new national dialogue to restore democracy after Tunisia’s President Kais Saied announced his assumption of executive power and suspended parliament.

In an interview with AFP, Ghannouchi mentioned "if there is no agreement, we will call on the people to defend democracy."

On July 25, Tunisian President Kais Saied took drastic measures, to dismiss Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and freeze parliament for 30 days.

Ghannouchi has denounced President Kais Saied’s decisions, branding his suspension of parliament and dismissal of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi's government as "a coup”.

"We consider the institutions still standing, and the supporters of the Ennahda and the Tunisian people will defend the revolution," he told AFP.

Ghannouchi continued, “there has been no contact with the President of the Republic, nor with his aides" since the decisions were issued" adding, "However, we believe that a national dialogue should take place regarding forming a Tunisian government."

He went on to say, "We are willing to make any concession if democracy is restored...Our clinging to power is less important than the constitution."