Politics

The politics in Tunisia take place under a framework of a presidential republic. The President of Tunisia is both head of state and head of government, and there is a pluriform multi-party system dominated by the Democratic Constitutional Rally. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Chamber of Deputies of Tunisia.

Constitution

The current Constitution was adopted on June 1, 1959 soon after its independence from France. The constitution has been changed twice to allow the President to remain in power: initially from two to three terms, and then from three to five. It was amended on July 12, 1988 to limit the number of terms a president is allowed to run to two. In 1998 it was amended to allow the President three terms. In 2002 it was changed to allow the president to rule for five terms.

Executive Branch

Tunisia's Head of State is the President. The presidential term lasts 5 years, and all adults older than 20 may vote. The President appoints the Prime Minister and his cabinet, and also the Council of Ministers. Regional governors and local administrators also are appointed by the central government; largely consultative mayors and municipal councils are elected.

Legislative Branch

The unicameral Chamber of Deputies of Tunisia (Majlis al-Nuwaab) has 189 seats and members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms. 20% of the seats are reserved for the opposition. It plays a growing role as an arena for debate on national policy but never originates legislation and virtually always passes bills presented by the executive with only minor changes.

Judicial Branch

The judiciary is nominally independent but responds to executive direction especially in political cases.

The Tunisian legal system is based on French civil law system and Islamic law; some judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court in joint session.

Current Politics

President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has been in office since 1987 when he deposed Habib Bourguiba, who had been President since Tunisia's independence from France in 1956. He is currently in his fourth term, having been re-elected in 2004. The ruling party, the Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD), was the sole legal party for 25 years - when it was known as the Socialist Destourian Party (PSD) -and still dominates political life.