Five years after Saied’s power grab, Tunisians are no better off

North America Politics Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:06:40 GMT Moderate confidence — 74/100

On July 27, 2021, Tunisian President Kais Saied suspended parliament in what was then considered the Arab world’s only functioning constitutional democracy.
As the United States’ acting assistant secretary of state for Near East Affairs, I was sent on a mission along with Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer to ascertain Saied’s plans.
Then-US President Joe Biden had expressed his hope to see a swift return to parliamentary democracy, and for the naming of a prime minister and a government that could address the country’s looming economic problems.

On July 27, 2021, Tunisian President Kais Saied suspended parliament in what was then considered the Arab world’s only functioning constitutional democracy.

As the United States’ acting assistant secretary of state for Near East Affairs, I was sent on a mission along with Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer to ascertain Saied’s plans.
Then-US President Joe Biden had expressed his hope to see a swift return to parliamentary democracy, and for the naming of a prime minister and a government that could address the country’s looming economic problems.

Sources: Al Jazeera