Tunisia: President Saied Replaces 19 Ministers Without Providing Explanations
Tunisian leader Kais Saied underwent a significant overhaul of his administration on a Sunday, ousting 19 ministers, including those in charge of Foreign Affairs and Defense, as per the official Presidential Palace's Facebook post. The announcement noted that Saied decided on this reshuffle early in the morning.
Not too long ago, Saied pulled the plug on the Prime Minister without offering an explanation. The Presidential elections in Tunisia are scheduled for October 6, with Saied vying for a second term. He terms his candidacy as a crucial part of a "freedom battle," with the aim of setting up a fresh republic, while several political adversaries are detained or faced trial.
Saied gained power through democratic elections in 2019. In 2021, he ousted the government employing an emergency provision and further strengthened his grip on power by altering the constitution.
In response to his increased powers, Saied challenged the Court of Justice over its rulings on his authority, asserting that his actions were within the bounds of the constitution. Subsequently, the Court of Justice upheld Saied's decisions, further solidifying his position.
