Tunisians have lost trust in President Kais Saied – US Senator Chris Murphy says

Chris Murphy, a US democrat Senator, said that Tunisians have lost trust in President Kais Saied, while commenting on the second round of parliamentarian elections in Tunisia which registered a law turnout.

Tunisians have lost trust in President Kais Saied and Washington will not provide additional support to the North African country unless democracy is restored, the US Senator said.

Over 7 million Tunisians were called to polls in 131 constitutions as part of the second round of the legislatives which started in December 17.

According to the independent electoral body, ISIE, only 11.4 per cent of voters turned out for the vote. The opposition and critics of the process say the rate of abstention reached record level of 90 per cent.

The US politician Chris Murphy in a statement branded the turnout “scandalous”. “The Tunisian people have lost confidence in these elections and in the direction President Said is taking his country,” he said. For him Saied’s “tilt toward authoritarianism” has seriously weakened Tunisian democracy.

“The United States should not provide the Tunisian government with additional support until there is a significant correction in the course of democracy in the country,” he added. Murphy has been a vocal critic of President Saied. In 2021, he slammed the Tunisian President’s July 25 decisions which froze the parliament, and fired then Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi.