President of the Republic Kais Saied enacted Wednesday a decree on new exceptional measures. This includes the extension of the parliament’s suspension and lifting of MPs’ immunity. Likewise, the speaker of the parliament and its members will see their allowances and benefits suspended.
Under the presidential decree, published Wednesday in the Official Gazette of the Tunisian Republic, the preamble to the Constitution and chapters 1 and 2 (the guiding principles and rights and freedoms) remain in force along with all constitutional provisions that do not run counter to these exceptional measures.
The Provisional Authority for the Review of the Constitutionality of Draft Laws will be abolished. The President will be in charge of developing draft amendments in relation to political reforms, in collaboration with a committee that will be established by a presidential decree.
By virtue of this presidential decree and with respect to the legislative power , the President will enact legislation in the shape of decrees following cabinet meetings. The President exercises the executive power with the help of a government led by a prime minister.
Kais Saied announced last July 25 a host of exceptional measures under Article 80 of the Constitution. The latter stipulates that the President of the Republic can take necessary measures in the event of an imminent threat to national security and the country’s independence which impedes the smooth running of the State machinery.
Saied decided to freeze the parliament for 30 days, lift MPs’ immunity and dismiss prime minister Hichem Mechichi. An extension of these measures was announced on August 23.
