Synopsis
Tunisian President Kais Saied has appointed a law professor to lead an advisory group tasked with drafting a new constitution for a "new republic," according to the presidency, which excludes political parties from the process.

Tunisian President Kais Saied has appointed a law professor to lead an advisory group tasked with drafting a new constitution for a “new republic,” according to the presidency, which excludes political parties from the process.
Since assuming executive authority last summer and dismissing parliament to govern by decree, Saied has solidified his one-man rule, which his critics label a coup.
He has subsequently stated that he will hold a referendum on July 25 to repeal the democratic 2014 constitution and hold fresh parliamentary elections in December.
Deans of Law and Political Sciences make up the group led by law professor Sadok Belaid. The president must receive the report by June 20th, according to the official gazette.
A second committee, comprised of six national organisations, including the strong UGTT Labour Union, was formed in parallel to make reform ideas. There are no political parties represented on this committee.
The UGTT first expressed its opposition to the president’s formation of an advisory council to draught a new constitution and suggest economic and political reforms.
Saied’s critics accuse him of attempting to establish one-man rule, and his acts have drawn international condemnation. He denies the charges and claims that he is not a tyrant who seeks to transform Tunisia after “a decade of destruction.”
Western governments have encouraged a conversation with labour unions, political parties, and civil society to return Tunisia to a democratic path and aid the country financially as it faces its worst financial crisis in decades.
Saied’s consolidation of power has increased this year, with the 64-year-old replacing the top judicial body and threatening to limit civil society organisations.
Saied also created a new election commission last month, seizing control of one of the country’s few independent entities and casting his vote.
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