Kais Saied plans to transform Tunisia. It may go bust first
The president rules by decree as the economy seizes up
BEFORE HE SENT a tank to bar the doors of parliament, Kais Saied was a law professor who preached fealty to the constitution. It may seem a contradiction, but contradictions helped propel Mr Saied (pictured) to the Tunisian presidency in 2019. He was a populist with a patrician manner, a self-styled democrat who disdained political parties and parliamentary elections. Some dubbed him Robocop, for his demeanour and conservative views; others saw Robespierre sharpening his guillotine.
This article appeared in the Middle East & Africa section of the print edition under the headline “Fiddling while Carthage burns”
From the October 2nd 2021 edition
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