TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisia’s main opposition coalition said Tuesday it won’t take part in the North African country’s upcoming presidential election unless President Kais Saied’s political opponents are freed and judicial independence is restored.
More than 20 political opponents have been charged or imprisoned since Saied consolidated power in 2021 by suspending parliament and rewriting the country’s constitution. Voters weary of political and economic turmoil approved his constitutional changes in a 2021 referendum with low turnout.
Saied is widely expected to run in the presidential election, likely to take place in September or October. It is unclear if anyone will challenge him.
The National Salvation Front, a coalition of the main opposition parties including once-powerful Islamist movement Ennahdha, expressed concern that the election wouldn’t be fair, and laid out its conditions for presenting a candidate.
Kate Hudson hits the stage to debut songs from her new album Glorious at star
Belgian soccer pauses ticket sales for Israel game amid security fears
California college professor to stand trial in death of pro
Evil parents who hated their three
My fiancé died on the morning of our wedding day
Row breaks out over sex education ban for under
Closing prices for crude oil, gold and other commodities
Iran helicopter crash that killed President Raisi could reverberate across the Middle East
Skins star Megan Prescott plans to strip off for OnlyFans snaps to fund her one
Insider Q&A: CIA's chief technologist's cautious embrace of generative AI
Army reservist's family describes struggle to get help before mass shooting in Maine