Tunisia's president has sacked the PM and suspended parliament becoming the first government in the world toppled in the wake of nationwide violent mass COVID-19 protests.
Tunisia’s president dismissed the government and froze parliament amid unrest over the “dysfunctional” political system and crumbling healthcare. His opponents decried the move as a “coup” and called for street protests.
Following an emergency meeting at his palace on Sunday night, President Kais Saied announced his decision to sack Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and suspend the parliament.
In a televised address, he promised to consolidate power and “save” the country with the help of a new prime minister.
We have taken these decisions... until social peace returns to Tunisia and until we save the state.
WATCH: Tunisia's President Kais Saied announced that he was freezing parliament, suspending the immunity of all MPs, dismissing Prime Minister Hicham Mechichi and taking charge of the executive power pic.twitter.com/95rRxMzOvK
Hundreds of people who had rallied against the government earlier in the day celebrated the drastic move in the streets, cheer...