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President Ben Ali Delivers Speech to Tunisian People
Bardo, 27 February 2002 (Tapex)
President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali announced his decision to invite Tunisians for a popular referendum on the draft constitutional reform once this draft is approved by the Chamber of Deputies. This was announced in a speech delivered to the Tunisian people during an extraordinary session of the Chamber of Deputies held Wednesday.
This initiative, the first in Tunisia's modern history, proceeds from the President's conviction that " the will of the people is above every other will", and that it remains "our reference in defining [the country's] major options".
The head of state underlined that this draft reform is aimed at paving the way for a qualitative leap of the political system in Tunisia. It also lies within the framework of a constant commitment to develop political life, consolidate the foundations of the republic, reinforce the state of law and institutions, and protect freedoms and human rights, and disseminate their culture.
This constitutional reform is a coherent set of amendment covering most of the sections of the constitution and nearly half of its articles, pointed out President Ben Ali. It is a reform aiming at deepening the spirit of democracy and pluralism, and reinforcing the republican institutions.
In this respect, the head of state expressed his will to devise appropriate measures to consecrate pluralism with regard to the candidacy to the forthcoming presidential elections.
He affirmed that this reform stems from the belief in the importance of protecting freedoms and human rights and the crucial role they play in promoting political, social, economic and cultural life.
In this context, the head of state announced a set of decisions aimed at providing this referendum with best factors of success and conditions of transparency and democratic practice.
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