Kais Saied, who had dismissed the government and suspended parliament last July, described the Supreme Judicial Council as a “thing of the past”.

Established in 2016, the council’s powers include ensuring the independence of the judiciary, disciplining judges, and granting them professional promotions.

In July 2021, in light of violent demonstrations against the government demanding the improvement of basic services and amid a growing COVID-19 outbreak, Saied suspended parliament for thirty days and relieved prime minister Hichem Mechichi from his duties, waiving the immunity of the parliament members and ordering the military to close the parliament house.

Saied's actions, which included relieving the prime minister of his duties, assuming the executive authority, suspending the Parliament, and closing the offices of some foreign news agencies, appeared to have been clear signs of a coup, as they disregard Article 80 of the Tunisian constitution, which states that before raising an emergency state, the president must consult his prime minister and the head of the Parliament, and even then, the Parliament cannot be suspended.

There is currently no constitutional court in Tunisia to offer jurisdiction in his interpretation of the constitution.

Last December, Saied extended the suspension of the parliament until a new election takes place, and announced a nationwide public consultation that would take place from 1 January until 20 March to gather suggestions for constitutional and other reforms after which Saied would appoint a committee of experts to draft a new constitution, to be ready by June ahead of the referendum that will take place on July 25.

He said that new parliamentary elections will be held on December 17, after going through the referendum and preparing a new electoral system. (ILKHA)