The opposition, which for a year has been denouncing the July 25, 2021 “coup” in which Sagenet assumed all powers, and human rights organizations have warned of the risk of a return to dictatorship.
The controversial constitution proposed by Tunisian President Kais Sayed, aimed at consolidating even more powers, was approved in a July 25 referendum with 96.4% of votes, the country’s electoral authority (ISIE) announced today, announcing the final results.
As announced to the press by ISIE President Farooq Buasker, 2.6 million people voted in favor of the new Constitution. Participation fluctuated at low levels and is estimated at 30.5%.
The opposition, which for a year has been denouncing the July 25, 2021 “coup” in which Sagenet assumed all powers, and human rights organizations have warned of the risk of a return to dictatorship.
“The Constitution comes into force after the announcement of the final results, its signature by the president and publication in the government gazette,” said Buasker. The rejection by an administrative court of all appeals against the holding of the referendum “confirmed the integrity and transparency of ISIE”, according to him.
Tunisia’s new constitution gives superpowers to president Saget, replacing the one in place since 2014 that limited the role of the head of state to prevent phenomena such as the dictatorship of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and the authoritarian regime of the country’s independence leader Habib Bourguiba.
It does not provide for a procedure to remove the president, who appoints the head of government and ministers and can dismiss them at will.
According to political analysts, those who voted “yes” were mainly motivated by the hope of improving their economic situation.
Tunisia is mired in a serious crisis, the Agence France-Presse (AFP) notes, with growth below 3%, high unemployment (nearly 40% among young people) and about 4 million residents on the poverty line. Over-indebted, it has been negotiating with the International Monetary Fund for weeks over a new $4 billion bailout package.
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