Understanding Tunisia’s Political Scenario and Constitution Changes: The Crisis Unveiled
Tunisia: Geography, Neighbouring Countries and Waterways
Tunisia is a country situated in North Africa, bordered by Algeria to the west and southwest, Libya to the southeast and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. It has a diverse geographical structure that includes coastal plains in the east which extend into valleys and desert in the west. The country shares its maritime borders with Italy.
Recent Protests: The Trigger
Recently, Tunisia has been witnessing protests following a referendum approving a new Constitution. This change is slated to convert the Tunisian government system from a Parliamentary system back into a Presidential one. The shift has sparked apprehensions about the institutionalization of the current President Kais Saied’s rule, who had previously suspended the elected Parliament and seized more powers in 2021.
The Fears of an Authoritarian Regression
Protestors claim that the modified Constitution would potentially undo the democratic advancements Tunisia made post the 2011 Arab Spring revolution, also known as the Jasmine Revolution. They foresee an authoritarian regression that could tighten the one-man rule.
Flashback: The Arab Spring
The Arab Spring was a wave of pro-democracy protests and uprisings that swept across the Middle East and North Africa in 2010 and 2011. It challenged several entrenched authoritarian regimes. The wave started with protests in Tunisia and Egypt, which saw the rapid crumbling of their regimes, inspiring similar attempts across other Arab nations.
The Legacy of the Arab Spring in Various Countries
The Arab Spring marked the downfall of dictatorships in several nations in 2011. Among these, Tunisia stood out as the only nation that successfully transitioned to democracy. In Egypt, the revolution was short-lived. After overthrowing the 30-year-long dictatorship of Hosni Mubarak, the military seized power in 2013. Libya’s protests escalated into a civil war, with NATO intervention resulting in the toppling of the Gaddhafi regime. However, the country fell into chaos thereafter. Protests in Bahrain, Yemen, and Syria were met with varying outcomes, often leading to violent crackdowns or civil wars.
Tunisia’s Political Crisis: An In-depth Analysis
The Tunisian Constitution of 2014 established a mixed parliamentary and presidential system. However, the country saw a staggering nine governments between 2011 and 2021. The economy was already strained, and the COVID-19 pandemic worsened the condition. Rising economic and healthcare crisis triggered protests, which led to President Saied’s decision to change the Constitution, plunging the nation into a constitutional crisis.
Understanding the Constitutional Changes
The revised Constitution aims to revert the country back to a Presidential system, thereby diminishing the powers of Parliament. The alteration grants the President the power to form a government, name Ministers without Parliament’s approval, appoint judges, and present legislation directly to the legislature. These changes also make it nearly impossible for lawmakers to remove the President from office.
The Aftermath of the Arab Spring: A Reflection on UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Reflecting on previous UPSC Civil Services Examination questions provides an insight into the global impact of the Arab Spring. For instance, a 2014 question asked about the origin of the ‘Arab Spring’. The answer is Tunisia, as the first protests began here in December 2010, when street vendor Mohammed Bouazizi set himself on fire to protest against police arbitrariness. This act became a catalyst for the Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia and inspired activists in other nations to challenge similar authoritarian governments.