Tunis Protests Reject President’s Suspension of Parliament

Demonstrators in Tunis gathered to protest against Tunisian President Kais Saied, who in July froze parliament and assumed authority in what critics have called a coup. In August he extended the suspension of parliament “until further notice” and lifted parliamentary immunity.

The several hundred protesters chanted “shut down the coup” and “we want a return to legitimacy,” according to reports.

Saied reportedly is considering suspending the 2014 constitution and putting a new version to a referendum.

Several members of the suspended parliament have been arrested since last month or prevented from leaving the country.

Saied has said he intervened to save the country from collapse. He has not named a new prime minister or made public a way forward. Tunisia’s 2011 revolution was one of the triggers of the Arab Spring.