Almost a month after what some observers call a “constitutional coup”, the Tunisian president has still not appointed a head of government. While waiting to see more clearly about Kaïs Saïed’s plans, on which they seem to place their confidence largely according to the latest polls, the Tunisians are once again passionate about the public and especially about constitutional rights.
as reported from Tunis,AmiraSouilem
On Saturday, August 21, Avenue Bourguiba, the beating heart of Tunisia, plunges into a sweet thorn. It is difficult to imagine that less than a month ago the country experienced the strongest post-revolutionary aftershock during its first democratic decade. But the look is misleading. In cafes, on airwaves that in family reunions, a bubbling topic quickly appears: the country’s future after the “constitutional coup” of the President of the Republic.
Kaïs Saïed, former professor of law, succeeded in a second coup that must probably surprise himself: to lure his country to the discipline he once taught. Something to smile at when we know that he triumphantly threw this nail at the address of his opponents after his coup: “Those who claim it is a coup are revising their lawyers!” “
Legal books, the new “bestsellers” Today, Tunisians not only support it, according to a recent survey by the Sigma Conseil Institute, 95% of them have favored their exceptional measures, but they also talk endlessly about his favorite subject.
This interest in law, Lotfi Jallouli, is at the forefront of observing it, he who manages the stocks in the legendary bookstore Al Kitab. At the entrance to the venerable Tunisian institution is a stall dedicated to books related to law. We find there pell-mell examination of the Tunisian constitution or books dedicated to the fight against corruption. They are now the bookstore’s “bestseller”.
“The speech on July 25 made readers want to dive back into political reading. Before that, the Tunisians had fed the politicians with their tongues. They no longer wanted to hear about politics “, explains Lotfi Jallouli.
Understand better the recent events that shook the country A craze for the law that turns the much-appreciated bookstore of the Tunisian intelligentsia Lotfi Jallouli into a place of unexpected debate: “Here is the political discussion every day. With our customers, but also between us, the bookstore employees. We give each other the latest news. We stay up to date on new arrests or presidential excursions. It does not end. ”
Among the bookstore visitors that day were two urgent law students. The heat wave of recent days did not dampen their enthusiasm. The two friends are looking for legal books that will allow them to better understand the recent events that have shaken their country.
“Studying legal concepts in class is one thing. See them implemented in real time in another. With this political development, we suddenly see our courses come to life before our eyes, says Youssef Nagati, during his second legal year. His friend and classmate, Jasser Riahi, nods.
Freezes Parliament’s activities Today, the two young men say they feel a certain responsibility towards their citizens, starting with their friends and relatives. They believe that in their own small scale they have a role as a popularizer for the law to fulfill. Since July 25, the two friends confided that they would be invited from all sides. Sometimes it is an uncle, a neighbor or an old acquaintance who suddenly asks them for legal explanations.
“But very quickly the discussion takes another turn,” Jasser slips into a smile that betrays a mild disillusionment. “Everyone wants to know our opinion on the president’s actions.”
If he applauds freezing of Parliament as a Tunisian outraged by the “mediocrity” of his elected officials, Jasser hardly appreciates the freedoms that the president took with the constitution as a purist of the law. According to him, Rule 80 did not allow him to freeze Parliament’s activities, nor did he approve the waiver of the deputies’ immunity.
A mixed position that he has great difficulty supporting in front of his relatives: “As soon as I express my reservations, my friends show up. They tell me “but let our president do what he has to do! He’s right, the country needs to be cleaned! “I am accused of being a killjoy. It’s not true. I’m just saying you should be vigilant and not blindly trust a man. “
Then, as if to reassure himself, Jasser looks at his friend Youssef and glides: “Kaïs Saïed was a professor of law and praised by all. He can not become a dictator overnight, can he? Personally, I can not believe it. ”
It is difficult at this stage, and although no head of government has been appointed, to know which path Tunisia will take. One thing is for sure, but the summer of 2021 will have allowed an entire country to take a crash course in law that will go down in history.
►To read: Tunisia: in conclave, Ennahdha expresses concern about the country’s future
.
