Tunisian Govt Defies Saied, to Go ahead with Election of Constitutional Court Members

President Kais Saied. (AP file photo)
President Kais Saied. (AP file photo)
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Tunisian Govt Defies Saied, to Go ahead with Election of Constitutional Court Members

President Kais Saied. (AP file photo)
President Kais Saied. (AP file photo)

Statements by members of the Ennahda movement and Heart of Tunisia Party have confirmed that the ruling coalition was in agreement over the parliament’s election of members of the Constitutional Court on Thursday.

The statements demonstrate their dismissal of President Kais Saied’s rejection of the amendments that have been introduced to the election of the members. He has returned the draft amendments to parliament for revision and it should be up to a new vote.

Observers believe that the position will only heighten tensions between the president and government.

Some members of the ruling coalition have already accused him of obstructing political work in the country.

The Ennahda’s parliamentary bloc had met last week and stressed the need to complete the election of the 12 members of the Court.

One member has already been elected. A parliament session will be held on Thursday to appoint three members. The remaining members will be elected by the president and higher judicial council, who each name four.

Ennahda has urged greater agreement among the various blocs over the candidates, while also renewing its support to the government, led by Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi.

Ennahda MP Emad al-Khamiri said the movement was determined to elect the three members of the Court.

He criticized Saied’s rejection of the amendments, saying it is as if he is claiming that the Constitutional Court was no longer necessary, while it is in fact key to building democracy.

Separately, former President Moncef Marzouki proposed holding early parliamentary and presidential elections, saying it could help end the political impasse in the country.

“This step may be risky, but it could give way to some hope,” he remarked.

Moreover, he said the stalemate will only lead to the further fragmentation of the state, especially amid the novel coronavirus pandemic and growing poverty.



UN Says ‘Deliberate’ Choices ‘Systematically’ Depriving Gazans

04 June 2025, Palestinian Territories, Nusirat: Displaced Palestinians gather in a charity kitchen to receive aid amid a shortage of food, in Nuseirat refugee camp. (Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)
04 June 2025, Palestinian Territories, Nusirat: Displaced Palestinians gather in a charity kitchen to receive aid amid a shortage of food, in Nuseirat refugee camp. (Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)
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UN Says ‘Deliberate’ Choices ‘Systematically’ Depriving Gazans

04 June 2025, Palestinian Territories, Nusirat: Displaced Palestinians gather in a charity kitchen to receive aid amid a shortage of food, in Nuseirat refugee camp. (Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)
04 June 2025, Palestinian Territories, Nusirat: Displaced Palestinians gather in a charity kitchen to receive aid amid a shortage of food, in Nuseirat refugee camp. (Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)

The UN aid chief said Wednesday that recent "horrifying scenes" of Gazans being killed while seeking food aid were the result of "deliberate choices that have systematically deprived" them of essentials to survive.

A US and Israeli-backed group operating aid sites in the Gaza Strip announced the temporary closure of its facilities on Wednesday, with the Israeli army warning that roads leading to distribution centers were "considered combat zones".

The announcement by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation follows a string of deadly incidents near the distribution sites it operates.

On Tuesday, 27 people were killed in southern Gaza when Israeli troops opened fire near a GHF aid site, with the military saying the incident was under investigation.

"The world is watching, day after day, horrifying scenes of Palestinians being shot, wounded or killed in Gaza while simply trying to eat," UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said in a statement.

"Emergency medical teams have confirmed treating hundreds of trauma cases. Yesterday alone, dozens were declared dead at hospitals after Israeli forces said they had opened fire.

"This is the outcome of a series of deliberate choices that have systematically deprived two million people of the essentials they need to survive."

He echoed the call by UN chief Antonio Guterres for immediate independent investigations, saying they were not isolated incidents, and the perpetrators must be held accountable.

"No-one should have to risk their life to feed their children," said Fletcher.

The GHF began operations a week ago, but the UN and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with it over concerns it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives.

Meanwhile the United Nations has described the amount of aid allowed into Gaza, after Israel partially lifted a more than two-month total blockade, as a trickle.

"We must be allowed to do our jobs: we have the teams, the plan, the supplies and the experience," said Fletcher, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.

"Open the crossings -- all of them. Let in life-saving aid at scale, from all directions. Lift the restrictions on what and how much aid we can bring in.

"Ensure our convoys aren't held up by delays and denials. Release the hostages. Implement the ceasefire."