The
protest led by Abir Moussi, leader of the Free Constitutional
Party, reflected growing opposition to Saied since he seized
executive power last year, dissolving parliament and ruling by
decree in a move opponents called a coup.
Thousands marched from Bab Souika Square in the capital towards
Kasbah Square, waving Tunisian flags and chanting slogans such
as "We want to take back our kidnapped country."
Saied is seeking to overhaul the constitution to give the
presidency more powers, against the backdrop of a tanking
economy and fears of a public finance crisis. He intends to put
the new constitution to a referendum on July 25.
His supporters say he is standing up to elite forces whose
bungling and corruption have condemned Tunisia to a decade of
political paralysis and economic stagnation.
However nearly all Tunisia's political parties have rejected the
proposed referendum, along with the powerful UGTT labour union.
(Reporting By Tarek Amara; Editing by Ros Russell)
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