Tunisia President wants debate on new political system, constitutional amendment

FILE PHOTO: Tunisian President Kais Saied and European Council President Charles Michel pose for the media prior their meeting at the European Council headquarters in Brussels, Belgium June 4, 2021. Francisco Seco/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

TUNIS (Reuters) - Tunisian President Kais Saied called on Tuesday for a dialogue with political parties on creating a new political system and amending the 2014 constitution, which he described as “with locks everywhere”, in an effort to ease the ongoing political crisis.

Saied's comments could pave the way for an end to a months-long political standoff with Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, who is backed by parliament Speaker Rached Ghannouchi, leader of the moderate Islamist Ennahda party, over powers and political alliances.