Tunisia in political turmoil as president sacks more officials

Tunisia lurched further into political uncertainty on July 28 as President Kais Saied dismissed more officials, days after he suspended parliament and assumed executive powers in what opponents labelled a coup.

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Key civil society groups warned against any "illegitimate" extension of Saied's 30-day suspension of parliament, and demanded in a joint statement a timeline for political action.

After suspending parliament and sacking Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi on July 25, and firing the defense and justice ministers on Monday, Saied then ordered the dismissal of several top officials.

Late on July 27, 63-year-old Saied, a former law lecturer who was a political newcomer when he won a landslide 2019 presidential election victory, issued decrees sacking a long list of senior government officials, including the army's chief prosecutor.

On July 28, he also dismissed the CEO of national television channel Wataniya.

In addition, he has lifted the parliamentary immunity of lawmakers and assumed judicial powers.

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Saied says his actions are justified under the constitution, which allows the head of state to take unspecified exceptional measures in the event of an "imminent threat."

On top of the political turmoil, the North African nation is beset by a crippling economic crisis including soaring inflation and high unemployment, as well as surging COVID-19 infections.

The moderate Islamist Ennahdha party, which was the largest faction in the coalition government, has labelled the power grab a "coup d'etat", while the U.S., EU and other powers have voiced strong concern.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on July 28 urged Tunisia to rapidly appoint a new prime minister and government....