Tunisia constitution committee chief delivers draft to president

Document is expected to grant Kais Saied more powers

Sadok Belaid, head of Tunisia’s constitution committee, submits a draft of the new constitution to President Kais Saied at the Carthage Palace in Tunis. AFP
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The head of Tunisia's constitution committee delivered the draft of a new constitution to President Kais Saied on Monday, with expectations that the document will grant more powers to the president.

Mr Saied, took over executive power last year, dissolved Tunisia's parliament and ruled by decree. He said on Monday that some chapters of the document needed amendments.

The president intends to put the new constitution to a referendum on July 25, though the opposition has said it will boycott the vote. Thousands of Tunisians protested against the referendum in the capital at the weekend.

Mr Saied named law professor Sadok Belaid to draft the new constitution, without including Tunisia's main political parties such as the Islamist Ennahda and Free Constitutional parties. Deans of universities refused to join the committee.

The powerful UGTT union also refused to participate in talks for the new constitution, saying the outcome had already been decided. Only some experts and small parties took part in talks.

Sources told Reuters the draft included some chapters of the 2014 constitution, especially on freedoms. The main focus is on the economy.

They added that the draft proposes a system with a powerful president who appoints the prime minister.

Under the 2014 constitution, which enjoyed broad support, the country's parliament had a big role and could withdraw confidence from the government. The winning party in parliamentary elections named a prime minister who formed the government.

Updated: June 17, 2023, 12:52 PM