EU urges Tunisia's president to reopen parliament

FILE PHOTO: Tunisia's President Kais Saied gives a speech at the government's swearing-in ceremony at the Carthage Palace outside the capital Tunis, Tunisia February 27, 2020. Fethi Belaid/Pool via REUTERS

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union on Tuesday called on Tunisia's President Kais Saied to restore the democratic order in his country after he suspended parliament and seized near total control in July.

"The parliament cannot stay closed indefinitely," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told lawmakers in a debate at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.