Tunisian Lawmakers Sign Petition to Unseat the Speaker


Tunisia's elected president Kais Saied speaks during his swearing-in ceremony at the Assembly of People's Representatives in Tunis (File photo: Reuters)
Tunisia's elected president Kais Saied speaks during his swearing-in ceremony at the Assembly of People's Representatives in Tunis (File photo: Reuters)
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Tunisian Lawmakers Sign Petition to Unseat the Speaker


Tunisia's elected president Kais Saied speaks during his swearing-in ceremony at the Assembly of People's Representatives in Tunis (File photo: Reuters)
Tunisia's elected president Kais Saied speaks during his swearing-in ceremony at the Assembly of People's Representatives in Tunis (File photo: Reuters)

Some 76 Tunisian lawmakers signed a petition seeking to unseat Speaker and head of Islamist Ennahda movement Rached Ghannouchi.

The representatives belong to major parliamentary blocs, including the National Reform Bloc, the Democratic Current, the People's Movement, the Heart of Tunisia party, and 13 independents.

The 76 signatures are sufficient to start the procedures for withdrawing confidence from the Speaker, and 109 votes to unseat him.

President Kais Saied met with ten deputies from across the political spectrum, including representatives from Ennahda, Tahya Tounes, Democratic Current, the People’s movement, and the independents.

Observers interpreted the meeting as the President's attempt to back down from his previous position rejecting the cabinet reshuffle.

Saied toured this week several of the capital’s neighborhoods to prove that he is “the president of all Tunisians and is not afraid to confront the people.”

The President is trying to win back the people's support after a slight decline in popularity following the incident of the “poisoned envelope,” when a suspicious package arrived at Carthage Palace.

Observers believe the President’s meeting with a number of lawmakers may be an indication that he accepts negotiations to end the constitutional crisis.

Last month, parliament approved a cabinet reshuffle put forward by Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi with 11 new ministers, which was rejected by Saied saying four of them were believed to be involved in corruption cases.

A top official of Heart of Tunisia Iyadh Elloumi called for the initiation of procedures to dismiss the President, accusing him of “grossly violating the constitution” in his refusal to hold the constitutional oath for the new ministers.

Elloumi indicated that Saied created the current crisis in a populist move to win voters over after a decline in his popularity in the recent survey, accusing him of paralyzing state institutions by not activating a constitutional procedure.

In an attempt to end the crisis, the Prime Minister held a meeting with a number of law experts and professors, seeking their advice regarding the constitutional crisis resulting from the cabinet reshuffle, and the President’s rejection to swear them in.

Mechichi requested the consultation of the administrative court, which, according to observers, exacerbated the deep disagreement between the two heads of the executive authority.



Senior Israeli Official: Al-Sharaa Is Clearly Our Enemy

Children ride in a truck as they are evacuated due to fears of Israeli army incursions, following a drone attack that reportedly killed at least four people in the area, on the outskirts of the village of Koayiah, southwestern Syria, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)
Children ride in a truck as they are evacuated due to fears of Israeli army incursions, following a drone attack that reportedly killed at least four people in the area, on the outskirts of the village of Koayiah, southwestern Syria, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)
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Senior Israeli Official: Al-Sharaa Is Clearly Our Enemy

Children ride in a truck as they are evacuated due to fears of Israeli army incursions, following a drone attack that reportedly killed at least four people in the area, on the outskirts of the village of Koayiah, southwestern Syria, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)
Children ride in a truck as they are evacuated due to fears of Israeli army incursions, following a drone attack that reportedly killed at least four people in the area, on the outskirts of the village of Koayiah, southwestern Syria, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)

A senior Israeli official warned on Tuesday that the growing understandings between Syria and Türkiye could restrict Israel's operational freedom in Syria.

Regarding Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Haaretz newspaper quoted the senior official as saying, “He is a classic Islamist and clearly our enemy – without a doubt.”

The official added, "This is a strategic asset we must preserve. Türkiye’s goal is to limit Israeli activity in Syria. We have no interest in confrontation, but we won't give up our positions either."

The senior official also addressed the Israeli Army operations in Syria, stating, “We have full backing from the US president.”

Regarding the possibility of Türkiye establishing a base in Syria, he said, “We don't believe Erdogan will be the one to provide the funding.”

Lately, Israeli officials have voiced concerns over reports that Türkiye is considering establishing a military base in Syria.

Israeli security sources said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is holding security consultations to discuss concerns over Turkish influence in Syria following the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime, and is trying to portray a confrontation with Ankara as inevitable.

The Hebrew website Walla, citing security sources, said Syria is holding contacts with Türkiye regarding the transfer of areas near Palmyra (central Syria) to the Turkish army in exchange for economic and military support for Damascus. This development sparked significant Israeli concerns, the sources said.
They noted that the new Syrian regime is working to restore military bases and enhance missile and defense capabilities in the south, near Israel.

Last Thursday, a Turkish Ministry of Defense source confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat reports about plans to establish a military base in Syria.

The source, who requested anonymity, said Türkiye is evaluating, in line with the new Syrian government's requests, the possibility of setting up a training base to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian military.

This statement was made in response to questions during a weekly press briefing by the Turkish Ministry of Defense, addressing recent reports regarding the potential establishment of a Turkish military base in Palmyra, Homs province, and an airbase at the Menagh Military Airport in Aleppo province.

“All our activities in Syria are coordinated in advance with the relevant parties, and all necessary security measures are taken,” the source added.

Earlier last month, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel will defend itself against any threat from Syria, while vowing the military will continue working to keep southern Syria demilitarized.

“We will ensure that southern Syria remains demilitarized and free of threats, and we will protect the local Druze population - anyone who does harm to them will face out response,” he wrote on his X page.