Creeping authoritarianism is a real risk in Tunisia

Significance

He did not name a new prime minister. Over July 25-26, Saied dismissed Prime Minister Hicham Mechichi, dissolved his government, suspended parliament for 30 days, lifted parliamentary immunity and declared himself chief prosecutor, triggering Tunisia’s worst political crisis in a decade.

Impacts

• The Ennahda party could be persecuted once again, this time on corruption charges, as the reconciliation offered excludes its members.
• Tunisia may become a new ideological battleground, pitting Turkey and Qatar against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
• The EU, the United States and Algeria have some influence on Tunisia and could perhaps play a moderating role.