Tunisia's president has fired his prime minister and suspended parliament following violent protests across the country. Tens of thousands of people protested on Sunday, saying the government had failed to effectively control the Kovid-19 epidemic and clashed with police.
Stating that he wants to bring peace to the country, President Kais Said has said that he will take the lead with the help of the new Prime Minister. Opposition groups called the coup a coup d'tat. "We have made these decisions until social peace is restored in Tunisia and we make the nation safer," Said said in a televised address.
He was speaking on television after holding an emergency security meeting at the President's Office. After the news of the dismissal of Prime Minister Hisham Meshishi became public late Sunday night, people came out cheering. After that, President Saeed also joined the crowds in the capital Tunis.
Clashes have broken out in many other cities, including Tunis. Police have hit the tear gas and arrest many protesters.
President Saeed has warned that the army will be used to control further violence. "I would like to warn that if anyone thinks of taking up arms and fires, the armed forces will retaliate with bullets," he said.
The president claims that the constitution gives him the right to suspend the parliament if there is a possible threat to it.
Ten years ago, democracy was established in Tunisia through revolution. From there, the Arab revolution began in the region. But then more jobs and opportunities were expected to be created. But that doesn't seem to be the case.
