US urges Tunisian president to a quick return to ‘democratic path’

San Francisco, Jul 31 (EFE).- The United States urged Tunisian President Kais Said to take the necessary measures Saturday to guarantee a quick return “to the democratic path” of the country and resolve the institutional crisis it faces.

In an hour-long phone call, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told Said the return to democracy requires “the formation of a new government led by a trained prime minister” to stabilize the Tunisian economy and deal with the pandemic.

Sullivan also asked the Tunisian president for the “timely return of the elected parliament” and said the US is “prepared to redouble its efforts” to help Tunisia toward a secure, prosperous and democratic future, according to a White House press release.

On Jul. 25, Said announced the dismissal of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and the suspension of parliament for 30 days, as well as the withdrawal of parliamentary immunity from all members “to regain social peace.”

This decision was called a “coup” by the Ennahda party, the main political force.

Since, numerous investigations have been opened against officials, political party members and national institutions leading to the first arrest of a parliamentarian, sentenced in 2018 to three months in prison for insulting the army and the president but who hadn’t been prosecuted thanks to his immunity.

Tunisia began its democratic transition in 2011 with the so-called “Jasmine Revolution,” which ended two decades of dictatorship by Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, after which 10 governments have succeeded one another and further aggravated the economic and social crisis. EFE

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