When democracy does not solve a country’s problems | Jerry Sorkin

When democracy does not solve a country’s problems | Jerry Sorkin

Tunisians were feeling again the pride and love of their country these past few weeks. First it was Ons Jabeur the female Tunisian tennis star who shined through much of Wimbledon and now in Tokyo, hoping to win the gold for her country. Ahmed Hafnaoui, the 18 year-old Tunisian swimmer who won gold, much to his own surprise and reminding Tunisians of the joy brought by their other stars such as  swimmer Oussama Mellouli who won a gold medal in the 2008 Olympics and Mohammed Gammoudi who won gold in the 1968 Mexico Olympics.

Spontaneous celebrations erupted the night of July 25 for other reasons in this North African democracy as Tunisians heard the broadcast in which their president, Kais Saied, announced he had used a provision in that country's constitution, Article 80, which allows a president to take command and to suspend (but not dissolve) Tunisia's parliament.