Referring to the exceptional measures he took nearly one month ago, Tunisian President Kais Saied stressed that “there is no turning back”,

In a statement, the Tunisian Presidency stated that “exceptional measures have been taken to protect the Tunisian state from collapsing in light of the unprecedented crisis and to put an end to choices that have increased the people’s misery and poverty and robbed their strength and resources.”

“There is no turning back,” it added.

On July 25^th, Saied cited Article 80 of the constitution to dismiss Prime Minister Hicham Mechichi, freeze the work of parliament for 30 days, lift the immunity of ministers, and appoint himself as head of the executive authority until the formation of a new government.

This comes after violent protests broke out in several Tunisian cities criticizing the government’s handling of the economy and the coronavirus. Demonstrators had called for parliament to be dissolved.

The majority of the country’s political parties slammed the move as a “coup against the constitution” and the achievements of the 2011 revolution.