Critics worry the new constitution will dismantle democratic gains as it shifts power back to the presidency
Tunisia President Kais Saied casts his ballot at a polling station in Tunis, Tunisia, July 25 2022. Picture: TUNISIAN PRESIDENCY/REUTERS
Western democracies that looked to Tunisia as the only success story of the Arab Spring have yet to comment on the proposed new constitution, though they have urged Tunisia to return to the democratic path over the past year. But there has been little evident enthusiasm for Saeid or his opponents in the run-up to the referendum, with only small crowds attending rallies for and against his plans.
His critics have also cast doubt on the vote’s integrity after he replaced the electoral commission board this year and made a speech on Monday despite electoral laws imposing campaign silence on polling day.The new constitution shifts power back to the presidency and away from parliament where an Islamist party, Ennahda, has been the biggest faction since the revolution.
Ennahda took part in a protest on Saturday, while civil society organisations and smaller parties held one on Friday. A party that backed the pre-revolution autocracy held its own on both days.