The leader of Tunisia's major opposition alliance said on Sunday (December 18) that President Kais Saied should "leave immediately." His words came just a day after voters in the country overwhelmingly snubbed elections for a neutered parliament. As per the country's electoral board, only 8.8 per cent of the nine-million-strong electorate had turned out for Saturday's polls. The polls were a culmination of a power grab by Saied in the only democracy to have emerged from the Arab Spring.

An abstention rate of more than 91 per cent "shows that very, very few Tunisians support Kais Saied's approach", Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, president of the National Salvation Front, told AFP by telephone. He said&nbsp;Saturday's election was a 'fiasco'&nbsp;and called for mass protests to demand snap presidential elections.&nbsp;The vote was boycotted by most opposition parties.

He said that the result represented "great popular disavowal" of the process that began when Saied, elected in 2019, seized executive powers last year.

In July 2021, Saied sacked the government, froze parliament and surrounded it with military vehicles. This was followed by months of political deadlock and economic crisis.

Saied, a former law professor, followed up by seizing control of the judiciary and pushing through a constitution that consolidates his near-absolute power in a widely boycotted referendum in July.

Saied's moves, a decade after ouster of dictator Ben Ali, have raised fears of a return to autocracy.

The National Salvation Front, which includes Saied's nemesis the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party, boycotted Saturday's election, saying it was part of a "coup" against Tunisia's democracy.

The ballot for the new 161-seat assembly followed three weeks of barely noticeable campaigning, with few posters in the streets and no serious debate among a public preoccupied with day-to-day economic survival.

Saied's moves were initially supported by some Tunisians tired of the messy and sometimes corrupt democratic system installed after the revolution.

But almost a year and half on, the country's economic woes have gone from bad to worse and inflation is higher than Saturday's voter turnout.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The leader of Tunisia's major opposition alliance said on Sunday (December 18) that President Kais Saied should "leave immediately." His words came just a day after voters in the country overwhelmingly snubbed elections for a neutered parliament.

The leader of Tunisia's major opposition alliance said on Sunday (December 18) that President Kais Saied should "leave immediately." His words came just a day after voters in the country overwhelmingly snubbed elections for a neutered parliament. As per the country's electoral board, only 8.8 per cent of the nine-million-strong electorate had turned out for Saturday's polls. The polls were a culmination of a power grab by Saied in the only democracy to have emerged from the Arab Spring. An abstention rate of more than 91 per cent "shows that very, very few Tunisians support Kais Saied's approach", Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, president of the National Salvation Front, told AFP by telephone. He said Saturday's election was a 'fiasco' and called for mass protests to demand snap presidential elections. The vote was boycotted by most opposition parties. He said that the result represented "great popular disavowal" of the process that began when Saied, elected in 2019, seized executive powers last year. In July 2021, Saied sacked the government, froze parliament and surrounded it with military vehicles. This was followed by months of political deadlock and economic crisis. Saied, a former law professor, followed up by seizing control of the judiciary and pushing through a constitution that consolidates his near-absolute power in a widely boycotted referendum in July. Saied's moves, a decade after ouster of dictator Ben Ali, have raised fears of a return to autocracy. The National Salvation Front, which includes Saied's nemesis the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party, boycotted Saturday's election, saying it was part of a "coup" against Tunisia's democracy. The ballot for the new 161-seat assembly followed three weeks of barely noticeable campaigning, with few posters in the streets and no serious debate among a public preoccupied with day-to-day economic survival. Saied's moves were initially supported by some Tunisians tired of the messy and sometimes corrupt democratic system installed after the revolution. But almost a year and half on, the country's economic woes have gone from bad to worse and inflation is higher than Saturday's voter turnout. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Tunisia opposition calls 8.8% voter turnout poll ‘fiasco’, tells President Kais Saied to step down

The electoral commission said that Tunisia had adopted a new constitution that gives President Kais Saied unrestricted power following a thinly attended referendum in which voters largely supported the text. Rivals of Saied claimed the referendum he organised on Monday was invalid and accused the Saied-controlled electoral body of "fraud."

According to preliminary data, the electoral commission "announces the acceptance of the new draft constitution for the Republic of Tunisia" on Tuesday evening. On a turnout of 30.5%, 94.6% of valid ballots were cast in favour of the new constitution. A year ago on Monday, the president abruptly dismissed the government and suspended the legislature, dealing a severe blow to the only democracy to have survived the 2011 Arab Spring upheavals.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-prince-signs-deal-on-data-cable-with-greece-on-his-first-europe-trip-since-killing-of-khashoggi-500985">Saudi prince signs deal on data cable with Greece on his first Europe trip since killing of Khashoggi</a>

His actions alarmed some Tunisians who feared a return to authoritarianism, but they were welcomed by others who were tired of the country's high unemployment and inflation rates, political corruption, and unsatisfactory system. There had been little question that the "yes" campaign would win, and an exit survey conducted by the unbiased polling organisation Sigma Conseil confirmed this.&nbsp;

The majority of Saied's competitors demanded a boycott, and while participation was low, it was greater than the single figures most people had anticipated.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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The electoral commission said that Tunisia had adopted a new constitution that gives President Kais Saied unrestricted power following a thinly attended referendum in which voters largely supported the text.

The electoral commission said that Tunisia had adopted a new constitution that gives President Kais Saied unrestricted power following a thinly attended referendum in which voters largely supported the text. Rivals of Saied claimed the referendum he organised on Monday was invalid and accused the Saied-controlled electoral body of "fraud." According to preliminary data, the electoral commission "announces the acceptance of the new draft constitution for the Republic of Tunisia" on Tuesday evening. On a turnout of 30.5%, 94.6% of valid ballots were cast in favour of the new constitution. A year ago on Monday, the president abruptly dismissed the government and suspended the legislature, dealing a severe blow to the only democracy to have survived the 2011 Arab Spring upheavals. Also Read: Saudi prince signs deal on data cable with Greece on his first Europe trip since killing of Khashoggi His actions alarmed some Tunisians who feared a return to authoritarianism, but they were welcomed by others who were tired of the country's high unemployment and inflation rates, political corruption, and unsatisfactory system. There had been little question that the "yes" campaign would win, and an exit survey conducted by the unbiased polling organisation Sigma Conseil confirmed this. The majority of Saied's competitors demanded a boycott, and while participation was low, it was greater than the single figures most people had anticipated. (with inputs from agencies)

Despite low voter turnout, Tunisia adopts new constitution leading towards autocracy

On Tuesday, President Kais Saied declared that Tunisia had "entered a new phase" with a new constitution that would transfer all the powers to his office.

Monday's referendum came a year after Saied sacked the government and suspended the parliament of the only democracy to have emerged due to the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings.

Although there had been little doubt the "Yes" campaign would win, an exit poll suggested that only a quarter of the votes of 9.3 million electorates were cast and were overwhelmingly in favour of Saied.

Most of Saied's rivals called for a boycott of the voting. But, while turnout was low, it was higher than the single figures many observers had expected, at least 27.5 %, according to the electoral board controlled by Saied.

Hours after polling stations closed, Saied addressed supporters in downtown Tunis and said, "What the Tunisian people did is a lesson to the world and a lesson to history on a scale that the lessons of history are measured on,".

The National Salvation Front, an opposition coalition, said the draft constitution would enshrine a "coup d'etat" and that 75% of Tunisians have refused to approve it.

Saied, a 64-year-old law professor, dissolved the parliament and seized control of the judiciary and the electoral commission on 25th July last year.

His opponents say that the move is aimed at installing an autocracy a decade after the fall of dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. However, supporters of Saied argue that the steps were necessary after years of corruption and political turmoil.

A poll of "Yes" voters by state television suggested that reforming the country and improving the situation along with support for Kais Saied were the primary reasons for backing the new constitution.

However, legal experts have warned that the draft gives the president vast, unchecked powers, including putting the president in command of the army and allowing him to appoint a government without parliamentary approval, making it virtually impossible to remove him from office.

Saied has also threatened his enemies in recent months, issuing video diatribes against unnamed foes he describes as "germs", "snakes", and "traitors".

On Monday, he promised that everyone who has committed crimes against the country would be held accountable for their actions.

Hassen Zargouni, head of the Sigma Conseil group that conducted the exit poll, said that of the 7,500 voters questioned, 92-93 % were in the "Yes" camp.

He also defended the turnout by saying it was pretty good, given that about two million people have been added to electoral rolls since the 2019 legislative elections.

He also highlighted that it was not surprising as the participation in elections has gradually declined since the 2011 revolution, from just over half in a parliamentary poll months after Ben Ali's overthrow to 32 % in 2019.

Saied now appears to have a clear path to transforming the country's governance from a hybrid parliamentary system to a presidential model that gives him a vicelike grip on the country.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

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On Tuesday, President Kais Saied declared that Tunisia had "entered a new phase" with a new constitution that would transfer all the powers to his office. Monday's referendum came a year after Saied sacked the government and suspended the parliament of the only democracy to have emerged due to the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings.

On Tuesday, President Kais Saied declared that Tunisia had "entered a new phase" with a new constitution that would transfer all the powers to his office. Monday's referendum came a year after Saied sacked the government and suspended the parliament of the only democracy to have emerged due to the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings. Although there had been little doubt the "Yes" campaign would win, an exit poll suggested that only a quarter of the votes of 9.3 million electorates were cast and were overwhelmingly in favour of Saied. Most of Saied's rivals called for a boycott of the voting. But, while turnout was low, it was higher than the single figures many observers had expected, at least 27.5 %, according to the electoral board controlled by Saied. Hours after polling stations closed, Saied addressed supporters in downtown Tunis and said, "What the Tunisian people did is a lesson to the world and a lesson to history on a scale that the lessons of history are measured on,". The National Salvation Front, an opposition coalition, said the draft constitution would enshrine a "coup d'etat" and that 75% of Tunisians have refused to approve it. Saied, a 64-year-old law professor, dissolved the parliament and seized control of the judiciary and the electoral commission on 25th July last year. His opponents say that the move is aimed at installing an autocracy a decade after the fall of dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. However, supporters of Saied argue that the steps were necessary after years of corruption and political turmoil. A poll of "Yes" voters by state television suggested that reforming the country and improving the situation along with support for Kais Saied were the primary reasons for backing the new constitution. However, legal experts have warned that the draft gives the president vast, unchecked powers, including putting the president in command of the army and allowing him to appoint a government without parliamentary approval, making it virtually impossible to remove him from office. Saied has also threatened his enemies in recent months, issuing video diatribes against unnamed foes he describes as "germs", "snakes", and "traitors". On Monday, he promised that everyone who has committed crimes against the country would be held accountable for their actions. Hassen Zargouni, head of the Sigma Conseil group that conducted the exit poll, said that of the 7,500 voters questioned, 92-93 % were in the "Yes" camp. He also defended the turnout by saying it was pretty good, given that about two million people have been added to electoral rolls since the 2019 legislative elections. He also highlighted that it was not surprising as the participation in elections has gradually declined since the 2011 revolution, from just over half in a parliamentary poll months after Ben Ali's overthrow to 32 % in 2019. Saied now appears to have a clear path to transforming the country's governance from a hybrid parliamentary system to a presidential model that gives him a vicelike grip on the country. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE -

Tunisia: A country that saw dictatorship transform into democracy and now turning into autocracy

On Monday, Tunisians will vote on a new constitution supported by a president who is accused by his detractors of attempting to reimpose tyranny in the country that gave birth to the Arab Spring. When a young fruit vendor set himself on fire in Sidi Bouzid, in the country's centre, in protest against police abuse and unemployment in December 2010, it marked the beginning of Tunisia's revolution. Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and Moamer Kadhafi of Libya were two dictatorial presidents who were overthrown as a result of the Tunisian revolution. However, the majority of the uprisings resulted in civil wars or military-backed counterrevolutions.

Tunisia is in discussions with the International Monetary Fund on a bailout package to prevent it from going bankrupt. Tunisia has been in economic trouble since the revolution. After President Saied dismissed the administration and suspended parliament in July 2021, blaming them for inefficiency, the nation descended into yet another political crisis.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sri-lankan-crisis-economy-lessons-india-can-learn-498205">Sri Lankan crisis: Economy lessons India can learn</a>

The Islamic State group targeted Tunisia frequently, and it was also a major source of foreign jihadists going to Syria and Iraq to fight alongside the Sunni extremists. 2015 saw three significant assaults in Tunisia that were claimed by IS and resulted in the deaths of 72 persons, mostly foreign tourists and security personnel. In 2016, a battle in the town of Ben Guerdane, close to the Libyan border, resulted in the deaths of 13 security officers, seven civilians, and at least 55 militants. Although authorities claim to have achieved substantial success since then in the fight against terrorism, the nation is still under the 2015-imposed state of emergency.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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On Monday, Tunisians will vote on a new constitution supported by a president who is accused by his detractors of attempting to reimpose tyranny in the country that gave birth to the Arab Spring.

On Monday, Tunisians will vote on a new constitution supported by a president who is accused by his detractors of attempting to reimpose tyranny in the country that gave birth to the Arab Spring. When a young fruit vendor set himself on fire in Sidi Bouzid, in the country's centre, in protest against police abuse and unemployment in December 2010, it marked the beginning of Tunisia's revolution. Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and Moamer Kadhafi of Libya were two dictatorial presidents who were overthrown as a result of the Tunisian revolution. However, the majority of the uprisings resulted in civil wars or military-backed counterrevolutions. Tunisia is in discussions with the International Monetary Fund on a bailout package to prevent it from going bankrupt. Tunisia has been in economic trouble since the revolution. After President Saied dismissed the administration and suspended parliament in July 2021, blaming them for inefficiency, the nation descended into yet another political crisis. Also Read: Sri Lankan crisis: Economy lessons India can learn The Islamic State group targeted Tunisia frequently, and it was also a major source of foreign jihadists going to Syria and Iraq to fight alongside the Sunni extremists. 2015 saw three significant assaults in Tunisia that were claimed by IS and resulted in the deaths of 72 persons, mostly foreign tourists and security personnel. In 2016, a battle in the town of Ben Guerdane, close to the Libyan border, resulted in the deaths of 13 security officers, seven civilians, and at least 55 militants. Although authorities claim to have achieved substantial success since then in the fight against terrorism, the nation is still under the 2015-imposed state of emergency. (with inputs from agencies)

Arab spring torchbearer Tunisia returning to autocracy?

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, an NFL free agent who last year began the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/why-the-us-sports-stars-are-not-standing-up-during-the-national-anthem-20725" target="_blank"> kneeling protest during US anthems</a> that became a major controversy, has filed a collusion grievance against the NFL.

Six weeks into the NFL season the 29-year-old Kaepernick is still without a job despite a number of job openings created by injuries to other quarterbacks.&nbsp;

Kaepernick and his lawyer, Mark Geragos, are claiming the owners violated terms of the collective bargaining agreement, specifically a clause that prohibits teams from acting together in regards to a player&#39;s employment status.

He filed his grievance&nbsp;on Sunday&nbsp;just days before the owners are scheduled to meet in New York.

&quot;We can confirm that this morning we filed a grievance under the CBA on behalf of Colin Kaepernick,&quot; Geragos said in a statement. &quot;This was done only after pursuing every possible avenue with all NFL teams and their executives.&nbsp;

&quot;If the NFL (as well as all professional sports leagues) is to remain a meritocracy, then principled and peaceful political protests -- which the owners themselves made great theater imitating weeks ago -- should not be punished and athletes should not be denied employment based on partisan political provocation by the Executive Branch of our government.&nbsp;

&quot;Such a precedent threatens all patriotic Americans and harkens back to our darkest days as a nation. Protecting all athletes from such collusive conduct is what compelled Mr. Kaepernick to file his grievance.&quot;&nbsp;

Kaepernick, who spent six seasons with the 49ers, appears ready to go to court rather than go through the players union with his grievance claim.

Kaepernick claims owners have colluded to keep him out of the league because of his kneeling protests during the playing of &quot;The Star-Spangled Banner&quot; last year.

Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers in March but found no team willing to sign him despite past successes that included leading the 49ers to the 2013 Super Bowl, where they lost to Baltimore 34-31.

Tensions were raised about the kneeling when US President Donald Trump last month called any NFL player kneeling during the anthem a &quot;son of a bitch&quot; and said they should be fired.

Owners to meet&nbsp;

That has prompted a rise in the number of players who kneel or link arms in a sign of unity over the past four weeks and set the stage for league executives and owners to talk about the matter in depth next week at regularly scheduled club owners meetings.

The NFL players association responded&nbsp;Sunday&nbsp;with a statement offering Kaepernick its support and reiterating that it is prepared to assist him, &quot;as we do all players.&quot;

US Vice President Mike Pence walked out on an NFL game last weekend in Indianapolis when about 20 players for the 49ers kneeled during the anthem, a move Trump later took credit for on Twitter.

The US media reported earlier this month that Kaepernick has been ready to work out in private for NFL teams and sought to be judged only as a player while staying quiet during the controversy to avoid becoming a distraction.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has denied the league has deliberately kept Kaepernick off of rosters, but as quarterbacks have become injured in recent weeks he had not been given a tryout.

Kaepernick has completed nearly 60 percent of his career NFL passes for 12,271 yards and 72 touchdowns with 30 interceptions over 69 NFL games.

And 27 per cent of them wanted a strong leader

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, an NFL free agent who last year began the kneeling protest during US anthems that became a major controversy, has filed a collusion grievance against the NFL. Six weeks into the NFL season the 29-year-old Kaepernick is still without a job despite a number of job openings created by injuries to other quarterbacks. Kaepernick and his lawyer, Mark Geragos, are claiming the owners violated terms of the collective bargaining agreement, specifically a clause that prohibits teams from acting together in regards to a player's employment status. He filed his grievance on Sunday just days before the owners are scheduled to meet in New York. "We can confirm that this morning we filed a grievance under the CBA on behalf of Colin Kaepernick," Geragos said in a statement. "This was done only after pursuing every possible avenue with all NFL teams and their executives. "If the NFL (as well as all professional sports leagues) is to remain a meritocracy, then principled and peaceful political protests -- which the owners themselves made great theater imitating weeks ago -- should not be punished and athletes should not be denied employment based on partisan political provocation by the Executive Branch of our government. "Such a precedent threatens all patriotic Americans and harkens back to our darkest days as a nation. Protecting all athletes from such collusive conduct is what compelled Mr. Kaepernick to file his grievance." Kaepernick, who spent six seasons with the 49ers, appears ready to go to court rather than go through the players union with his grievance claim. Kaepernick claims owners have colluded to keep him out of the league because of his kneeling protests during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" last year. Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers in March but found no team willing to sign him despite past successes that included leading the 49ers to the 2013 Super Bowl, where they lost to Baltimore 34-31. Tensions were raised about the kneeling when US President Donald Trump last month called any NFL player kneeling during the anthem a "son of a bitch" and said they should be fired. Owners to meet That has prompted a rise in the number of players who kneel or link arms in a sign of unity over the past four weeks and set the stage for league executives and owners to talk about the matter in depth next week at regularly scheduled club owners meetings. The NFL players association responded Sunday with a statement offering Kaepernick its support and reiterating that it is prepared to assist him, "as we do all players." US Vice President Mike Pence walked out on an NFL game last weekend in Indianapolis when about 20 players for the 49ers kneeled during the anthem, a move Trump later took credit for on Twitter. The US media reported earlier this month that Kaepernick has been ready to work out in private for NFL teams and sought to be judged only as a player while staying quiet during the controversy to avoid becoming a distraction. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has denied the league has deliberately kept Kaepernick off of rosters, but as quarterbacks have become injured in recent weeks he had not been given a tryout. Kaepernick has completed nearly 60 percent of his career NFL passes for 12,271 yards and 72 touchdowns with 30 interceptions over 69 NFL games.

Majority of Indians think military rule would be good for country: Study

These men are proof that sometimes with great power comes insane self-indulgence

While the concept of a democratic government is over two centuries old, modern history has witnessed the rise of some of the most oppressive dictators. Self-absorbed and narcissistic, these are the some of the craziest autocrats who implemented bizarre rules under their reign: Saparmurat Niyazov: Turkmenistan’s Niyazov was one of the most self-obsessed dictators of all times. He gave himself the title of Turkmenbashi- meaning Leader of All Ethnic Turkmen and went on to declare himself president of the country for life. Niyazov created a new image for the country, where he named all public spaces, from streets to landmarks, after himself. What’s bizarre: Every clock or watch in Turkmenistan had his face Young men were forbidden to grow long hair and beards Music was banned in the country A statue of Turkmenistan's former President Saparmurad Niyazov in Asghaban (AFP) × Kim Il Sung: Since his appointment as the Supreme Leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Kim’s forces took some 200,000 political prisoners, who were kept in concentration camps. North Korea lacked freedom of the press, religion, political opposition and education. Kim lived a life of luxury, while the country faced severe economic sanctions. What’s bizarre: Kim ate sushi, especially flown in from Japan Followers were made to believe that their ‘Dear Leader’ neither urinates nor defecates, and has the power to control the weather North Korean military officers and citizens holding a rally to celebrate the September 9 nuclear warhead test in Kim Il-Sung Square in Pyongyang (AFP) × Idi Amin Dada: Third president of Uganda, Amin led a military coup to gain absolute power after promoting himself as head of the state. He was often perceived as mentally unstable as his regime was characterised with corruption, nepotism, oppression and mass killings. The casualties range between 80,000 and 500,000, with many of them being meted out systematic torture. What’s bizarre: Reports claim that he ate his enemies and even fed them to crocodiles Wrote love letters to Queen Elizabeth Uganda People`s Defence Force (UPDF) march during the celebration to mark the fall of Idi Amin Dada 11 April 2002. (AFP) × Nicolae Ceausescu: Like other self-obsessed dictators of his kind, Nicolae was fond of giving himself titles such as “Conducator” meaning Leader and “Geniul din Carpa?i” meaning The Genius of the Carpathians. He even created an executive presidency and had a scepter made for himself like a king. What’s bizarre: He carried out destruction of 19 churches, six synagogues and 30,000 homes to build a palace for himself. It cost the Romanian treasury a total of $10 billion Gold buttons belonging to Nicolae Ceausescu are exhibited at an auction in Bucharest (AFP) × Mao Zedong: Mao Zedong, the founding father of the People’s Republic of China experimented with China’s economy, resulting in severe financial losses. His policy ‘Great Leap Forward’ shifted the country from an agrarian economy to a manufacturing one, by pulling out farmers from the field and assigning them to mill steel. Millions died after this, due to starvation. What’s bizarre: Launched the Cultural Revolution, which led to the elimination of the country’s intelligentsia and his political opponents Academics suffered and teachers were forced out of schools and colleges Set up the ‘Red Guards’ enlisting youth to correct the bourgeois elements in China’s society Considered himself to be the only genius in the country Cantonese opera actors dressed as Red Guards perform in a show portraying late Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong (AFP) × (Contributed by: Zeba Khan)

Self-obsessed autocrats and their bizarre rules

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