The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, took note, on Thursday 16 December, of the announcement made by the President of the Republic of Tunisia, Kaïs Saïed, on 13 December, concerning major political deadlines, in particular the legislative elections in Tunisia, and the timetable for their implementation during the year 2022.
Mr Saïed extended the suspension of parliament until new parliamentary elections are held in December of 2022. Starting 1 January 2022, a series of popular consultations on constitutional and electoral amendments will be held. The constitutional reforms will be put to a referendum on 25 July 2022, the anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic.
“These declarations are an important step towards restoring institutional stability and balance”, the High Representative said in a statement on behalf of the EU. According to him, the success of the process will depend on the concrete modalities of its implementation, “in particular its anchoring in democratic values and principles as well as its inclusiveness and transparency”.
Recalling that the Tunisian people would be called upon to take “sovereign decisions of great importance”, the High Representative reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Tunisia. He also stressed, once again, the importance of respecting the democratic acquis, the separation of powers, the Rule of law and fundamental rights and freedoms for all Tunisians in order to guarantee the country’s stability and prosperity.
For their part, the President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Christa Schweng, and the President of the Section for External Relations, Dimitris Dimitriadis, said that the return to normal functioning of the State’s institutions and the restoration of institutional stability should take place “as soon as possible” and “without any further suspension of parliamentary activities”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)