After a year of progressively eroding Tunisia’s hard-won democracy, President Kais Saied is re-writing the country’s democracy to make the final grab over power. This article is published by Swiss Info.ch. Here is an excerpt:

President Kais Saied has gathered nearly all state power in his hands after dismantling much of Tunisia’s young democracy over 11 turbulent months. But as he prepares for a referendum to approve his changes, challenges loom ever larger.

A former law professor with a stiff public manner, Saied is rewriting the constitution to enshrine a presidential system. But, meanwhile, Tunisia’s economy is collapsing and opposition to his rule is growing.

The powerful UGTT labour union staged a strike on Thursday over plans for economic reform. Protests against him have drawn thousands to the streets, and all the main political parties have rejected his referendum.

Read the full story here.