Tunisia’s Prime Minister, Najla Buden Romhdane, has assured that democracy and human rights are not at risk in the country, amid complaints from the opposition and civil society about the measures implemented by the President, Kais Saied, since he arrogated to himself all powers in July 2021 by dissolving the Government and suspending the Parliament, subsequently dissolved.
Buden, appointed to the post months later by Saied, has stressed that democracy is «an irreversible choice» in Tunisia and added that the country «does not want a precarious democracy that hides deep structural flaws», as reported by the Tunisian state news agency, TAP.
The Prime Minister said however that the «progress» in human rights «should not hide the challenges and difficulties» due to these «structural problems accumulated over the years».
She also defended freedom of expression and demonstration in the country and stressed that the «excesses» recorded in «isolated cases» are being investigated by the authorities, while advocating respect for human rights in the fight against terrorism.
The country is preparing to hold early legislative elections in December which will be boycotted by the majority of the opposition, which denounces an authoritarian drift of Saied. The opposition has already boycotted the constitutional referendum of July, which strengthened the powers of the President and reduced the weight of the Parliament.
