Press EU-Tunisia Friendship Group press release on the political situation in Tunisia

It is with great concern that we are following the recent series of events that have led to an escalation of tensions in Tunisia and we are particularly alarmed by the suspension of the Parliament and the lifting of the parliamentary immunity of its members decided by President Kais Said.

Although we are aware of the very serious economic, social and health situation and the great difficulties the country is facing at the moment, we consider it essential to preserve all the progress that has been achieved by the Tunisian people since the revolution and over the last ten years, and first and foremost its Constitution.

As members of the EU-Tunisia Friendship Group in the European Parliament, we wish to express, together with all the signatory MEPs, our full solidarity with the people of Tunisia at this critical moment.

We launch an urgent appeal to President Said and to all the political, civil and military authorities to allow the Parliament to get back to work and resume its essential political role, which is fundamental for the democratic functioning of any country.

We also call on the representatives of all the European institutions, the President of the European Parliament David Sassoli, the President of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen and the High Representative Josep Borell, as well as the President of the European Council Charles Michel, for the European Union to be available to accompany and help Tunisia in this crisis, and to be ready to use all the political means at its disposal, proposing itself as a possible mediator of an inclusive political dialogue in the resolution of this institutional deadlock.
At the same time, the European Union must step up its logistical and health support to enable Tunisia to fight the pandemic effectively.

Furthermore, as Members of the European Parliament, we cannot accept that our parliamentary colleagues are prevented from carrying out their work whilst failing in their responsibility and commitment to millions of electors.
We consider it essential, in light of this situation, to return as soon as possible to a political dialogue between the parties, as provided for in the Constitution. We are convinced that all the authorities share this will and we also hope that all the guarantees provided for in the Constitution, including the establishment of the Constitutional Court, will soon be fully operational.

Fabio Massimo CASTALDO
Member of the European Parliament (NI), Coordinator of the EU-Tunisia Friendship Group in the European Parliament

Michael GAHLER
Member of the European Parliament (EPP), Member of the EU-Tunisia Friendship Group in the European Parliament

Marc TARABELLA
Member of the European Parliament (S&D), Member of the EU-Tunisia Friendship Group in the European Parliament

Salima YENBOU
Member of the European Parliament (Greens/EFA), Member of the EU-Tunisia Friendship Group in the European Parliament

Anna BONFRISCO
Member of the European Parliament (ID), Member of the EU-Tunisia Friendship Group in the European Parliament

Emmanuel MAUREL
Member of the European Parliament (GUE/NGL), Member of the EU-Tunisia Friendship Group in the European Parliament

Nora MEBAREK
Member of the European Parliament (S&D), Member of the EU-Tunisia Friendship Group in the European Parliament

Alfred SANT
Member of the European Parliament (S&D), Member of the EU-Tunisia Friendship Group in the European Parliament

Thijs REUTEN
Member of the European Parliament (S&D)

Maria da Graça CARVALHO
Member of the European Parliament (EPP)

María Soraya RODRÍGUEZ RAMOS
Member of the European Parliament (Renew Europe)

Katrin LANGENSIEPEN
Member of the European Parliament (Greens/EFA)

Jordi SOLÉ
Member of the European Parliament (Greens/EFA)

Rosa D'AMATO
Member of the European Parliament (Greens/EFA)

Agnès EVREN
Member of the European Parliament (EPP)

Evin INCIR
Member of the European Parliament (S&D)

Brando BENIFEI
Membre du Parlement Européen (S&D)