Controversy in Tunisia over Calls to Abolish the Political System

Tunisia's new parliament members take an oath in Tunis, Tunisia November 13, 2019. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi
Tunisia's new parliament members take an oath in Tunis, Tunisia November 13, 2019. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi
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Controversy in Tunisia over Calls to Abolish the Political System

Tunisia's new parliament members take an oath in Tunis, Tunisia November 13, 2019. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi
Tunisia's new parliament members take an oath in Tunis, Tunisia November 13, 2019. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi

A heated political debate is raging in Tunisia where many voices are calling for a change in the parliamentary system and returning to the presidential one, having in mind a new linguistic term in Tunisia’s politics: the so-called “third republic.”

Many believe that having a third republic is the only way to overcome the political and parliamentary deadlock witnessed by the country, but others claim that it is a gateway for sowing chaos and a plan to take over state institutions after some having failed in the 2019 elections.

Third republic supporters have been accused of looking to take out political opponents, especially the Ennahda Movement. Government coalition parties, on the other hand, believe that political change must be enacted through elections only.

They are calling for amending the election law which, after 2011, resulted in disarray among parliamentary blocs that were rendered unable to rule or achieve their election campaign promises.

Ennahda Movement is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the parliamentary system, as it dominates the government and occupies the position of the speaker of Parliament through the parliamentary system.

Issam Chebbi, the head of Tunisia's opposition Republican Party, said that the move to another presidential system needs years and a political, institutional and democratic evaluation, and cannot be achieved by chaos and taking to the streets.

Leftist parties such as Machrouu Tounes and the Free Destourian Party backed the ongoing protests and considered demonstrating as part and parcel of the democratic process. Should the ruling coalition oppose or ban those protests, it would be considered a hit to individual and collective rights.

These parties confirmed that they will back the protest expected to be held early June to call for dissolving the parliament and to withdraw confidence from its speaker, Rached al-Ghannouchi.

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UN Calls for Independent Probe into Civilians Harmed Trying to Get Food in Gaza

 Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
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UN Calls for Independent Probe into Civilians Harmed Trying to Get Food in Gaza

 Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Tuesday slammed as "unacceptable" the deaths of Palestinians seeking food aid in Gaza, a spokesman said, calling the loss of life in the territory "unthinkable".

"The Secretary-General continues to call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for the perpetrators to be held to account," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

"We are witnessing unthinkable loss of life in Gaza (and) the secretary-general condemns the loss of lives and injuries of Palestinians seeking aid," he said. "It is unacceptable civilians are risking and in several instances losing their lives just trying to get food."

At least 27 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded by Israeli fire near a food distribution site in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, local health authorities said, in the third day of chaos and bloodshed to affect the aid operation.

A spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross told Reuters that its field hospital in Rafah received 184 casualties, adding that 19 of those were declared dead upon arrival, and eight died of their wounds shortly after.

The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation launched its first distribution sites last week in an effort to alleviate widespread hunger amongst Gaza's war-battered population, most of whom have had to abandon their homes to flee fighting.

The Foundation's aid plan, which bypasses traditional aid groups, has come under fierce criticism from the United Nations and established charities which say it does not follow humanitarian principles.

The private group, which is endorsed by Israel, said it distributed 21 truckloads of food early on Tuesday and that the aid operation was "conducted safely and without incident within the site".

However, there have been reports of repeated killings near Rafah as crowds gather to get desperately needed supplies.

On Sunday, Palestinian and international officials reported that at least 31 people were killed and dozens more injured. On Monday, three more Palestinians were reportedly killed by Israeli fire.

The Israeli military has denied targeting civilians gathering for aid and called reports of deaths during Sunday’s distribution "fabrications" by Hamas.