Tunisians’ anger threatens prospects of Brotherhood-dominated parliament

Sara Rashad

Tensions are rising in Tunisia against the background of the slogans raised by demonstrators on March 20 to mark the 65th anniversary of Tunisia’s independence.

The demonstrators called on Tunisian President Kais Saied to dissolve the parliament and call for snap parliamentary elections.

The demonstrators chanted in support of Saied and against the parliament which is controlled by Ennahda movement, the branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in Tunisia.

They called for enacting Article No. 80 of the Tunisian constitution which gives the president the right to take exceptional measures in case of threats to national security.

Tunisia has been witnessing political turmoil since the beginning of this year against the background of conflicts between the prime minister, the parliament and the president.

Tunisians demonstrate every now and then against deteriorating economic conditions in their country. They blame the political elite for these conditions and accuse them of failure in running their country’s affairs.

Brotherhood’s crisis

The Ennahda movement is afraid that the parliament will fall victim to growing anger by the Tunisians against worsening conditions in their country.

The disbanding of the parliament will deprive the Islamist movement of one last chance to reach power in this North African state.

Ennahda’s head Rached Ghannouchi said earlier this month that there would not be a constitutional way to dissolve the parliament.

The parliament can be disbanded only when it fails in forming a government, Ghannouchi said at a seminar organized by the National Movement Forum, an entity affiliated to his movement.