Tunisia: Protests erupt both for and against Kais Saied's decisions
Tunisian President Kais Saied's latest decisions are reflected on Tunisia's streets, as demonstrations take place today both in support of the President and against him.
Al Mayadeen's Tunisia correspondent reported on Friday that protests erupted in TUnis, the Tunisian capital, in refusal of President Kais Saied's measures.
Our correspondent also said that other protests took place in support of the Tunisian president.
As these protests take place, Tunisia is commemorating the 11th anniversary of the "December 17 revolution," amid an unprecedented political divide that took root after President Saied's measures following July 25, by which he froze parliament and suspended a large portion of the constitution.
Several opposition parties and activists chose to commemorate the anniversary by protesting in downtown Tunis, in condemnation of what they called a "coup" and a "leaning toward authoritarianism."
President Saied's supporters and those in favor of his exceptional measures decided to organize protests to support the July 25 decisions, and called for continuing it by announcing new measures, including the dissolution of parliament.
Ghannouchi: "Utter" refusal for one more year of suspension
The Speaker of the suspended parliament, Rached Ghannouchi, announced on Thursday his "utter" refusal of parliament being suspended for another year, calling the measure unconstitutional and illegal.
He stressed in a statement that the way out of the crisis that took root in the country would only be through the immediate repeal of the exceptional measures, and an inclusive national dialogue that would allow for the collective self-determination of the country's future.
Tunisia has been experiencing a severe political crisis since July when Saied implemented exceptional measures, which included dismissing the Prime Minister, freezing the Parliament's work, and lifting the immunity of all its members.