Tunisian lawmaker and head of the opposition Democratic Patriots' Unified Party, Mongi Rahoui called for a “revolt” against the parliament, sparking a political and constitutional debate over the legality of calling for an uprising against an elected state body.
Rahoui justified his demand, citing the state of affairs in Tunisia and blaming the weak parliamentary performance to its internal system and the figures leading it.
The MP said that the parliament approves laws and monitors government work, meaning it is responsible for the results.
He described the parliament, which is headed by Speaker Rachid Ghannouchi, as the “center of economic and social oppression for Tunisians and no good can come from it.”
He noted that it is necessary to revolt against it, just as the people did against the former president and removed him from power.
The lawmaker accused Ghannouchi of sabotaging what the state has established, saying he is “the reason for Tunisia's misery.”
He also criticized the political base that is supporting the current government, saying it includes three parliamentary blocs, one of which defends terrorism.
Rahoui was referring to Ghannouchi’s Islamist Ennahda movement, which the Democratic Patriots' Unified Party blames for political assassinations.
