Speaker of Tunisia’s dissolved parliament regrets backing President Saied in 2019

Rached Ghannouchi, speaker of the Tunisian dissolved legislature and leader of the Islamist party Ennahdha has told BBC that his movement’s greatest political mistake is backing incumbent President Kais Saied for his election in 2019 during the snap presidential elections in the wake of the demise of former leader Caid Essebsi.

“Political action was human and could involve mistakes,” he told the Arab service of the London-broadcaster in an interview.

Saied ascended to power in 2019 as an independent candidate during then elections after the death of Caid Essebsi.

In the runoff, he faced off Nabil Karoui, leader of Heart of Tunisia party. Karoui had his name in the mad following his arrest on money laundering charges. He was released from prison few days before the poll.

Ennahdha endorsed Saied in opposition to Karoui for his election as the country’s President.

Things turned sour after the elections between the two sides. The climax of the frost relations took place on July 25 after Saied suspended the parliament and revoked the immunity of lawmakers. Last month he dissolved the parliament after over 100 members defied him and held a session that condemned July 25 moves.