Thousands of Tunisians protest against President Saied

 

Tunisian opposition supporters take part in a rally against President Kais Saied’s power grab and the economic crisis in the North African country, in the capital of Tunis. (Photo by Anis MILI / AFP)

 

Thousands of Tunisians marched in the capital on Sunday, the country's Independence Day, to oppose President Kais Saied's planned constitutional revisions and consultations.

 

According to AFP reporters, protesters chanted "the people want to remove the president" and "no to discussions."

 

The Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party and the "Citizens against the Coup" campaign organized the protest.

 

It's the latest in a string of protests in the North African country after Saied seized a slew of powers following the dismissal of the administration and the suspension of parliament on July 25.

 

The action has been labeled a "coup," and rights organizations have warned that the country, which is often seen as the only democracy to emerge from the Arab Spring upheavals, is on the verge of becoming autocratic.

 

Demonstrators marched towards parliament in Tunis's Bardo neighborhood on Sunday, many holding national flags, but their approach was barred by a huge police presence.

 

"We will not accept the consultation findings, this charade against the people," said Samira Chaouachi, the frozen parliament's vice president.

 

The findings of an online poll held by Saied in January to assist with the rewriting of the country's constitution will be submitted to an expert committee on Sunday.

 

According to official data, just 508,000 individuals have voted so far, or around 7% of the seven million eligible voters.

 

A vote on the constitutional revisions, which Saied thinks would strengthen his position, is set for July, one year after his power grab, with parliamentary elections in December.

 

Demonstrators yelled Sunday, ridiculing the poor attendance, "Our condolences for the constitution, President Saied."

 

Demonstrators also demanded the release of Abderrazek Kilani, the former leader of the bar association, who was detained in early March on allegations of "disturbing public order with the purpose to hinder the execution of the law" by a military court.

 

Kilani is a member of the defense committee for Noureddine Bhiri, the former justice minister and top Ennahdha politician who has been housed since December.