Tunisian president calls for 'yes' vote on new draft constitution

ISTANBUL

Tunisian President Kais Saied on Tuesday urged Tunisians to vote “yes” in a planned referendum on July 25 on an amended version of the country’s constitution.

“The new draft constitution reflects the spirit of the revolution and preserves rights and freedoms,” Saied said in a statement issued by his office.

Under the new constitution, the government will answer to the president not to the parliament.

The document also gives power to the president to dissolve the parliament who could serve for two terms of five years. The 142-article draft also says that Tunisia is a republic with a presidential system.

Saied said the state is seeking to achieve “integration”.

“This won’t happen without having all parties equally participate in drafting laws,” he added.

Tunisia has been in the throes of a deep political crisis that aggravated the country's economic conditions since Saied ousted the government, suspended parliament and assumed executive authority in July 2021.

While Saied insists that his measures were meant to "save" the country, critics have accused him of orchestrating a coup.

*Ikram Imane Kouachi in Ankara contributed to this report