The ambassadors of the G7 group of advanced economies urged Tunisia's President on Monday to appoint a new head of government as a matter of urgency and return to a constitutional order in which an elected parliament plays a significant role.
The statement, put out by the British Embassy on social media, is the most significant public expression of unease by major democracies since President Kais Saied seized governing powers in July in moves his opponents called a coup.
"We underline the urgent need to appoint a new head of government to form a capable government able to address the immediate economic and health crises facing Tunisia," the statement said.
The G7 statement added that appointing a prime minister would "create space for an inclusive dialogue about proposed constitutional and electoral reforms,” saying democratic values would remain central to their relations with Tunisia.
Several Tunisian parties renewed their demand to Saied to end the exceptional measures and return to the democratic path by forming a legitimate government that addresses Tunisians' priorities. They also called for launching dialogue to reform the political system and the electoral law.
The Ennahda Movement, which its opponents accuse of the failure of the political and economic paths, called for ending the exceptional measures.
Members of the movement's Executive Office, headed by Rached Ghannouchi, condemned "actual and symbolic attacks" on state institutions and constitutional bodies, including undermining the judiciary, attacking the National Anti-Corruption Authority and increasing campaigns of incitement and threats in the media and on social media networks.
The movement also denounced the attacks on Tunisians' rights, freedoms, and dignity based on illegal and unconstitutional instructions, including referring civilians to military courts and banning many parliamentarians, businessmen, and officials from leaving the country.
Meanwhile, the People's Movement spokesman, Mohsen Nabti, called on the President to present a "clear and comprehensive vision" based on the people's demands.
Nabti said that the exceptional measures approved by Saied partially respond to the demands of the public, who are now demanding the completion of the political reform path.
The spokesman stressed the necessity of forming a transitional government, adopting sovereign economic measures, changing the political system, revising the electoral law, and holding a referendum to support the reform led by Saied.
Ennahda member Abdellatif Mekki stressed that rejecting foreign interference is true and one of the bases of maintaining national sovereignty. However, it is not credible unless it is met with solutions for the outstanding problems.
Mekki was commenting on the visit of US delegations to Tunisia, which met with the President and other officials in the country.
