EU urges Tunisia to protect democracy but avoids criticism – POLITICO

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The EU on Tuesday called on Tunisia to reestablish its parliament and respect fundamental rights, two days after President Kais Saied toppled the government and suspended the legislature for 30 days, a move that critics called a “coup d ‘ ‘State “.

But EU officials have set no deadline and declined to say what the consequences, if any, would be if Saied refuses to comply. Tunisia has received special attention from the EU as the only country in the region to emerge from the Arab Spring as a constitutional democracy.

In a statement on behalf of the 27 countries of the bloc, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that “Tunisia’s democratic foundations, respect for the rule of law, the constitution and the legislative framework must be preserved while remaining attentive to the wishes and aspirations of Tunisia. people.”

He stressed the need to restore “parliamentary activity” and to refrain from “any form of violence”.

Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Nabila Massrali added little to Borrell’s comment at the European Commission daily press conference.

“We are monitoring the situation,” she said. “We can’t go any further at this point. ”

The remarks came two days after Saied accompanied by army generals and police commanders invoked the Tunisian constitution to sack Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, suspend the National Assembly for 30 days and lift the immunity of lawmakers. The 63-year-old president has said he will rule with a new prime minister, while also assuming the role of attorney general.

The EU’s response to the situation was immediately criticized for being too hollow.

“A stronger statement should have come out of [Borrell] against the Tunisian president, to remind him that he must protect democracy and not overstep the limits of the constitution, ”said Tarek Megerisi, official at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

“It is the only democracy in the wider region and the only achievement of the Arab Spring,” said Megerisi, referring to the 2011 protests in the Arab world, which led to the installation of a democratic constitution in Tunisia.

“The EU has spent billions trying to protect and advance democracy in Tunisia,” Megerisi added. And yet, he argued, “Europe is just standing on the sidelines and trying to remain as harmless as possible”.

Borrell’s statement, which appeared to reflect a carefully negotiated stance between the 27 EU countries, followed a relatively soft statement from France on Monday, which “took note” of developments in Tunisia and expressed hope ” that the rule of law will be respected and that the institutions will return to normal functioning as soon as possible.

France also called on “all the political forces of the country to avoid any form of violence and to preserve the democratic gains of the country”.

In Germany, a foreign policy spokesperson said on Monday that Berlin was “very concerned” about developments in Tunisia, including violent clashes between protesters and security forces, and stressed the importance of restoring order. constitutional “very quickly”.

Massrali said Borrell spoke by phone with his Tunisian counterpart, Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi, on Monday to reiterate the EU’s message.

Prior to Saied’s announcement on Sunday, Tunisia was rocked by protests against the now-overthrown government and the largest party in parliament, Islamist Ennahda. The protests were sparked by economic woes, high unemployment rates, accusations of corruption as well as what critics describe as mismanagement of the coronavirus crisis, including a recent spike in cases.

Thousands of people took to the streets on Sunday evening to greet Saied’s announcement. However, the President of Parliament Rached Ghannouchi, leader of the Ennahda party, called the decision a “coup” and called on the population to organize demonstrations.

Early Tuesday, however, Ennahda urged people to “return home” to ensure peace, adding that the party “is ready to go to early parliamentary and presidential elections at the same time so that the democratic process can be protected.”

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