Tunisian parliament stokes power struggle by Said al-Meshichi

The Tunisian parliament is discussing the law regulating the interior security forces, getting to put the unit under the control of Prime Minister Prime Minister Hichem instead of President Kais Saied.

The parliamentary committee on administrative organization and therefore the refore the affairs of the soldiers is studying the proposal despite fears it’ll deepen the differences between Ennahda Movement and the President.

The two sides disagree about who should be liable for the soldiers : the president because the supreme commander of the armed forces, or the prime minister because the one who appoints the minister of interior, which falls within his constitutional powers.

The committee are going to be briefed by representatives of the Dignity Coalition, security officials, and representatives of the inside ministry to resolve this issue, which is predicted to impress political controversies.

According to Chapter Two of the overall Basic Law of the interior Security Forces, the ISF reports to the minister of interior but falls under the authority of the president.

The Dignity Coalition suggests changing or amending the law, stipulating that the ISF reports to the inside minister, under the authority of the prime minister, as long as of these parties are subject to parliamentary oversight.

However, the new law proposal depends on a selected interpretation of the term “armed forces”, especially after the recent dispute over its meaning, and whether it includes the interior security forces, or is restricted to the military institution.

The proposal will cause a pointy political debate within the event it’s sent to the parliament and it approves it.

In April, Saied stirred political and legal controversy over the distribution of powers among state institutions. He confirmed that his powers as commander of the soldiers also cover the interior security forces and not just the military .

Observers expect that this new proposal will further escalate the dispute between Saied and Mechichi and highlight their political rivalries.