Tunisia Launches National Consultation on Reforms

Arab World

January 2nd, 6:52am

Asharq Al-Awsat

Tunisia's President Kais Saied gives a speech at the government's swearing-in ceremony at the Carthage Palace outside the capital Tunis, Tunisia February 27, 2020. (Reuters)

Tunisia on Saturday launched a wide-ranging national consultation that will feed into drafting a new constitution, the North African country's technology ministry said. Part of a reform package pushed by President Kais Saied, the exercise calls on citizens to send in suggestions and will last until March 20. Eligible topics include electoral, economic, financial, social, developmental, health, education and cultural affairs. The constitutional referendum is planned for July 25, 2022 -- exactly a year after Saied sacked the government, suspended parliament and seized wide-ranging powers, according to AFP. The president later took steps to rule by decree, and in early December vowed to press on with reforms to the political system. The consultation -- dubbed "Your opinion, our decision" -- is initially targeting youth centers through an electronic platform across the country's 24 regions, the technology ministry said. "The platform will be open to everyone from January 15," it added. Citizens will alternatively be able to give their views in local committees, since only 45 percent of Tunisian homes are connected to the internet.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3390896/tunisia-launches-national-consultation-reforms