21 Oct 2021; MEMO: The Tunisian Parliament called on President Kais Saied to reconsider his "unconstitutional" decisions, and lift the freeze imposed on legislative institutions.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the parliament's presidency called on lawmakers to defend their right to work by legitimate legal means and condemned trying officials before military and civilian courts, describing the trials as "unjust" and "politically motivated".
It noted that it is following "with great concern" the serious repercussions of the "unconstitutional presidential decision" issued on 22 September to stop the disbursement of Parliament grants in "violation of Article 80 of the Tunisian Constitution".
It also called on Saied to lift the exceptional measures imposed on parliament and allow it to resume performing its legislative and oversight duties, saying "there is no democracy without a free parliament".
"The continuation of the systematic campaign to demonise and distort the most important popularly elected constitutional institution is a blow to the values of the republic and an insult to the prestige of the state," it added.
The Tunisian presidency did not respond to the statement.
Saied has held nearly total power since 25 July when he sacked the prime minister, suspended parliament and assumed executive authority citing a national emergency.
He appointed a new prime minister on 29 September and a new government was subsequently formed.
