Tunisia’s founder of the opposition Karama Coalition, Seifeddine Makhlouf, accused President Kais Saied of inciting against lawmakers, by trying to justify calls for violence and threats against some of them.
Makhlouf said that Tunisians will withdraw their confidence in Saied should he continue his unacceptable interference in parliamentary affairs, accusing Saeid of justifying violence and revolt against state institutions, especially against lawmakers.
Criticism has targeted Saied after his statement in the southern city of Kebili, where he called for the withdrawal of confidence from deputies should they fail to step up to the tasks handed to them.
Saied also criticized the proposal to amend Chapter 45 of the parliament’s by-laws led by the Islamic Ennahda Movement. He considered it a grave violation of the constitution and stressed that Tunisians could strip deputies of their position should they fail to serve the country’s interests
This was received as a call to revolt against parliamentarians and an unwarranted intervention of the executive authority in legislative affairs.
Makhlouf said that Saied’s speech was “very dangerous,” accusing him of justifying violence against state institutions and the elected authority.
“While MPs waited for Saied to disavow calls for chaos and blood, which were issued by some of his supporters, and those who ran his election campaign, they were surprised by his choice to present us with theories of legality and legitimacy,” Makhlouf said.
Meanwhile, the presidency denounced accusations against Saied of inciting against lawmakers as false and reassured that the president “was and still is keen on preserving the stability of state affairs during this important phase.”
The presidency defended Saied’s right to criticize the performance of some deputies and decisions issued by parliament, saying the president believes that sovereignty ultimately belongs to the people.
