Tunisian opposition demands explanations for ‘disappeared’ president

The opposition in Tunisia called for a statement on the situation of President Kays Said, who has not appeared in public since March 22.

The National Liberation Front, the top formation of the opposition in the country, held a press conference on the subject. Speaking here, the leader of the National Liberation Front, Ahmed Najib al-Shaabi, said: “We demand the government to explain the reason why the president is out of sight.”

Stating that they had information about Said’s illness, but no information about his current condition was provided, Şabi noted that the “mystery surrounding the absence” of the president was increasing. Calling for an end to this uncertainty, Şabi emphasized that Health Minister Ali Murabit left unanswered questions about the president’s health, adding to this uncertainty.

So far, the Tunisian authorities have not ruled on the president’s state of health.

ALLEGED HEART ATTACK

Images of Tunisian President Said’s latest visit to the Bab Suveyka region in the capital on March 22 were shared on the Presidency’s social media account.

The opposition, which attributes the absence of President Said to a “serious heart attack”, affirms that the president is in a military hospital under intense secrecy.

On the other hand, President Said canceled his March 28 meeting with Paolo Gentiloni, member of the European Commission in charge of the Economy, without giving any reason. In addition, the newly appointed Brazilian ambassador to Tunisia, Fernando José de Abreu, presented his letter of credentials to Foreign Minister Nebil Ammar, instead of the President, on March 29.

According to the Tunisian Constitution of 2022, the current prime minister must assume other functions, with the exception of the right to dissolve the Popular Assembly and the Regional Assembly, if the president is temporarily unable to perform his duties. In the event of the death or resignation of the President, the President of the Constitutional Court must fulfill his duty as President until the elections to be held within 45 days.

By the way, Tunisia still does not have a president of the Constitutional Court, since the members of the Constitutional Court could not be elected after the 2011 revolution. (BRITISH AUTOMOBILE CLUB)