Tunisia – Public split in response to referendum

Location: Tunis – Tunisia

Language: Arabic

Duration: 00:04:59

Sound: natural

Source: A24 in Tunisia

Restrictions: A24 subscribers

Date: 26/07/ 2022

Storyline:

While Tunisians will have to wait until August 28 for the final official results of yesterday’s referendum, they are already sharply split over its meaning for the country’s future.

A Sigma Conseil exit poll issued in the wee hours by state TV shows that the 25%.of registered voters who participated backed the measure to invest nearly all powers in the presidency of President Kais Saied by 92.3%.

Saied put the new framework for his governance forward as part of the procedures he has been implementing for a year to change the country’s political scene.

Supporters of the 64-year-old retired law professor say the constitution is an essential step to overcoming the country’s current political and economic crisis.

But Raja Jabri, head of the Mourakiboun Network Association, a leading election observation group, told A24 that a dangerous concentration of power in the presidency hinders real change needed by the Tunisian people. 

Shotlist:

– Soundbite (Raja Jabri –  President of the “Mourakiboun” network):

“Almost 90% of offices did not have a representative of parties accredited by the electoral commission to monitor the referendum process. Everyone noticed the absence of local and international civil society observers. Individuals and parties participating in the voting attempted to influence other voters, and failed to respect electoral silence.”

– Soundbite (Fawzi Al-Zarii – Teacher and civil society activist):

“We corrected the path of Tunisia as it was heading towards an abyss with pseudo-parties acting in political adolescence, led by Najib Chebbi, Hama Hammami and Rachid Ghannouchi. Today we move towards a constitution that concerns issues afflicting Tunisians.”

– Soundbite (Saida Bouchoucha – Retired):

“I am happy to be rid of Parliament, and the problems they created with their push and pull that made a mockery out of Tunisia. We are finally rid of parties and traitors who never cared for the country or its people.”

We were relieved of Ennahda, of the parties, and of all the traitors who did not love Tunisia and did not love the Tunisian people

– Soundbite (Tarek Khalil – Employee):

“I voted for judiciary, I voted to put an end to a corrupt system and parliament of terrorists, smugglers, and opportunists. I’m not making accusations, I’m stating facts that Tunisians have witnessed.”

-Soundbite (Mahrezia Hamasiyah – Housewife):

“We want a supply of oil and sugar. We want supply interruption of basic materials to end. We want better living conditions, higher salaries and lower prices. We want better living conditions in Tunisia. President Qais Saeid is a great leader, he will improve the economic conditions in Tunisia.”

– Soundbite (Ali Al Farsi):

“The referendum is for protecting Tunisia, not individuals showing off freedom and democracy as if those could provide a living for us. The celebration will only be complete after those who committed crimes against Tunisia are held accountable.”

– Soundbite (Sharifa Ammar):

“The referendum is not over until action is taken, action related to actual practice of the constitution.”

– Soundbite (Shaima Issa, the Salvation Front, which opposes the new constitution):

“Percentage of votes didn’t reach 25%, even if it did, it would not be enough to enable Qais Saeid to change the 2014 constitution that we adhere to. This percentage is not enough to enable him to have sole rule over Tunisia. The percentage of boycott reached 75%, indicating opposition from the public, and constitutional bodies. What yesterday’s poll revealed is the unpopularity of Qais Saeid.”