Saied Promises Tunisians a New Republic Based on Popular Referendum

Caption: Tunisian President Kais Saied (AFP)
Caption: Tunisian President Kais Saied (AFP)
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Saied Promises Tunisians a New Republic Based on Popular Referendum

Caption: Tunisian President Kais Saied (AFP)
Caption: Tunisian President Kais Saied (AFP)

Tunisian President Kais Saied has announced creating the National Consultative Commission for a New Republic, tasked with drawing up a draft constitution.

In a cabinet session on Thursday evening, Saied said the new republic will be presented by the people and based on solid foundations that guarantee the state’s unity and continuity, as well as the rights of Tunisians for a decent life.

The president said the republic will be formed based on a popular referendum on the political system and electoral law, and a draft of a new constitution.

The committee consists of deans of Law and Political Sciences and is tasked with drafting the new constitution for the new republic. It must submit its report on June 20 to the president.

Saied slammed the previous ruling system, stressing that it endangered the state and caused instability.

He affirmed that the new constitution will reflect the will of Tunisian people, which they keenly expressed on December 17, 2010 and in the national consultation he held from January 1 till March 20.

The consultation, which called on citizens to send in suggestions, was part of a reform package pushed by Saied, who said it succeeded despite the obstacles.

Commenting on the upcoming referendum, Saied said all conditions will be set for everyone to be able to participate.

These include reviewing voter registration to ensure the participation of about 2.5 million unregistered voters.

The constitutional referendum is planned for July 25, exactly a year after Saied sacked the government, suspended parliament and seized wide-ranging powers.



Drone Attack Targets Tawke Oilfield in Iraq's Kurdistan

General view of the Sarsang oilfield operated by HKN Energy, after a drone attack, in Duhok province, Iraq, July 17, 2025. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari
General view of the Sarsang oilfield operated by HKN Energy, after a drone attack, in Duhok province, Iraq, July 17, 2025. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari
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Drone Attack Targets Tawke Oilfield in Iraq's Kurdistan

General view of the Sarsang oilfield operated by HKN Energy, after a drone attack, in Duhok province, Iraq, July 17, 2025. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari
General view of the Sarsang oilfield operated by HKN Energy, after a drone attack, in Duhok province, Iraq, July 17, 2025. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari

A drone attack targeted an oilfield operated by Norwegian oil and gas firm DNO in Tawke, in the Zakho Administration area of northern Iraq, on Thursday, the Kurdistan region's counter-terrorism service said.

The attack is the second on the DNO-operated field since a wave of drone attacks began early this week.

DNO, which operates the Tawke and Peshkabour oilfields in the Zakho area that borders Türkiye, temporarily suspended production at the fields following explosions that caused no injuries, the counter-terrorism service said.

DNO did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

This week's drone attacks have reduced oil output from oilfields in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region by between 140,000 to 150,000 barrels per day, two energy officials said on Wednesday, as infrastructure damage forced multiple shutdowns.