On Monday, street skirmishes erupted outside Tunisia's army-barricaded parliament, a day after President Kais Saied dismissed the prime minister and suspended the legislature, plunging the country's young democracy into a constitutional crisis.
Following a day of angry street protests about the government's handling of the Covid pandemic, Saied fired Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and ordered parliament closed for 30 days, a move the largest political party, Ennahdha, denounced as a "coup"
Soldiers have been blocking the gathering in Tunis since early Monday, as supporters of the president flung volleys and stones at supporters of Ennahdha, whose leader staged a sit-in to protest being denied access.
Despite the fact that the constitution enshrines parliamentary democracy and limits presidential powers to security and diplomacy, Saied's dramatic move a decade after Tunisia's 2011 revolution, which is often held up as the Arab Spring's sole success story, comes despite the fact that the constitution enshrines parliamentary democracy and limits presidential powers to security and diplomacy.
In a Facebook post, Ennahdha, Tunisia's ruling coalition's largest party, said that it was a "is a coup d'etat against the revolution and against the constitution," adding that its people "will defend the revolution"
The situation stems from a prolonged standoff between the president, the prime minister, and Ennahdha chairman Rached Ghannouchi, which has stymied the Covid response while the country's per capita death rate has risen to one of the highest in the world.
"I have taken the necessary decisions to save Tunisia, the state, and the Tunisian people," Saied said in a statement on Sunday, a day marked by intense Covid street protests around the country.
Following the president's declaration, his followers held joyous demonstrations. Late Sunday, large groups flocked to the streets of the capital to rejoice and wave the national flag, as car horns blared and fireworks lit up the sky.
"Finally some good decisions!" exclaimed Maher, a Tunisian protester defying a coronavirus curfew. Others carried signs that read "Game Over" to the deposed administration.
'Delicate moments'
Thousands of people marched in numerous cities before the president's declaration, criticizing Ennahdha, Tunisia's fragmented administration, for its shortcomings in combating the pandemic.
On condition of anonymity, a senior Ennahdha official told AFP that the protests leading up to the president's declaration, as well as the ensuing celebrations, were all organized by Saied.
"We are also capable of organizing large demonstrations to show the number of Tunisians who are opposed to these decisions," added this official.
Since his election as president in 2019, Saied has been embroiled in a battle with Mechichi and Ghannouchi, who is also the speaker of the House of Representatives. Ministerial nominations have been stalled as a result of the rivalry, and resources have been diverted away from addressing Tunisia's numerous economic and social issues.
"We are navigating the most delicate moments in the history of Tunisia," Saied remarked on Sunday.
He said that while the constitution did not allow for parliament's dissolution, it did allow him to suspend it, citing Article 80, which allows for it in the event of "imminent danger"
He then stated that the suspension would be for 30 days in a Facebook post.
Saied stated that he would assume executive power "with the help" of a government whose new leader will be nominated by the president himself.
He also stated that deputies' parliamentary immunity would be lifted.
'The Birth of a Dictator'
Tunisia has had nine governments in the ten years since the revolution that toppled dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, some of which only lasted a few months, obstructing the reforms needed to revive the country's ailing economy and shoddy public services.
Covid-19 instances have lately engulfed Tunisia, resulting in a death toll of over 18,000 people.
Mechichi removed his health minister last week over the pandemic's handling as cases soared, the latest in a long line of health ministers to be ousted.
Hundreds of people demonstrated in front of parliament on Sunday, yelling anti-Ennahdha and anti-premier Mechichi slogans.
In addition to Gafsa, Kairouan, Monastir, Sousse, and Tozeur, demonstrations were reported in Gafsa, Kairouan, Monastir, Sousse, and Tozeur.
When individuals threw stones and police shot tear gas canisters, many protestors were arrested and a journalist was hurt, according to an AFP correspondent.
The throng chanted, "The people want the dissolution of parliament,"
Many Tunisians expressed relief at Saied's announcement.
Nahla was overjoyed, waving a Tunisian flag and telling AFP: "Tunisia is being unblocked by Saied's bold initiatives. This is the president that we admire!"
"These fools are celebrating the birth of a new dictator." commented one man in his forties as he stood there watching.
