<p>Tunisian President Kais Saied announced Sunday the suspension of parliament and dismissal of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi following a day of protests against the ruling party, who condemned the move as a "coup d'etat".</p>.<p>Thousands of Tunisians had marched in several cities protesting against the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party, criticising what they said were government failures in the North African nation and crippling coronavirus rates.</p>.<p>Since Saied was elected president in 2019, he has been locked in a showdown with Mechichi and parliament speaker Rached Ghannouchi, a rivalry which has blocked ministerial appointments and diverted resources from tackling Tunisia's many economic and social problems.</p>.<p>Car horns sounded after Saied announced parliament's suspension following an emergency meeting at his palace.</p>.<p>"The constitution does not allow for the dissolution of parliament, but it does allow for its work to be suspended," the president said, citing Article 80 which permits such a measure in case of "imminent danger".</p>.<p>Saied said he would take over executive power "with the help" of a government headed by a new chief appointed by the president himself.</p>.<p>He also said that parliamentary immunity would be lifted for deputies.</p>.<p>"What Kais Saied is doing is a coup d'etat against the revolution and against the constitution, and the members of Ennahdha and the Tunisian people will defend the revolution," Ennahdha wrote in a statement on its Facebook page.</p>.<p>Earlier on Sunday in the capital Tunis, hundreds rallied in front of parliament, shouting slogans against Ennahdha and premier Mechichi.</p>.<p>Demonstrations were also reported in the towns of Gafsa, Kairouan, Monastir, Sousse and Tozeur.</p>.<p>"The people want the dissolution of parliament," the crowd chanted.</p>.<p>Several protesters were arrested and a journalist was injured when people hurled stones and police fired tear gas canisters, an AFP reporter said.</p>.<p>Despite a decade passing since the 2011 revolution which overthrew dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Tunisia remains prone to chronic political turmoil that has stymied efforts to revive crumbling public services.</p>.<p>The country's fractious political class has been unable to form lasting, effective governments.</p>.<p>Tunisia has been overwhelmed by Covid-19 cases, including more than 18,000 people who have died in a country of around 12 million.</p>.<p>Last week Mechichi fired his health minister over his handling of the pandemic, as cases skyrocketed.</p>
<p>Tunisian President Kais Saied announced Sunday the suspension of parliament and dismissal of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi following a day of protests against the ruling party, who condemned the move as a "coup d'etat".</p>.<p>Thousands of Tunisians had marched in several cities protesting against the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party, criticising what they said were government failures in the North African nation and crippling coronavirus rates.</p>.<p>Since Saied was elected president in 2019, he has been locked in a showdown with Mechichi and parliament speaker Rached Ghannouchi, a rivalry which has blocked ministerial appointments and diverted resources from tackling Tunisia's many economic and social problems.</p>.<p>Car horns sounded after Saied announced parliament's suspension following an emergency meeting at his palace.</p>.<p>"The constitution does not allow for the dissolution of parliament, but it does allow for its work to be suspended," the president said, citing Article 80 which permits such a measure in case of "imminent danger".</p>.<p>Saied said he would take over executive power "with the help" of a government headed by a new chief appointed by the president himself.</p>.<p>He also said that parliamentary immunity would be lifted for deputies.</p>.<p>"What Kais Saied is doing is a coup d'etat against the revolution and against the constitution, and the members of Ennahdha and the Tunisian people will defend the revolution," Ennahdha wrote in a statement on its Facebook page.</p>.<p>Earlier on Sunday in the capital Tunis, hundreds rallied in front of parliament, shouting slogans against Ennahdha and premier Mechichi.</p>.<p>Demonstrations were also reported in the towns of Gafsa, Kairouan, Monastir, Sousse and Tozeur.</p>.<p>"The people want the dissolution of parliament," the crowd chanted.</p>.<p>Several protesters were arrested and a journalist was injured when people hurled stones and police fired tear gas canisters, an AFP reporter said.</p>.<p>Despite a decade passing since the 2011 revolution which overthrew dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Tunisia remains prone to chronic political turmoil that has stymied efforts to revive crumbling public services.</p>.<p>The country's fractious political class has been unable to form lasting, effective governments.</p>.<p>Tunisia has been overwhelmed by Covid-19 cases, including more than 18,000 people who have died in a country of around 12 million.</p>.<p>Last week Mechichi fired his health minister over his handling of the pandemic, as cases skyrocketed.</p>