Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the protests against President Kais Saied on 15 May, what assessment they have made of the political situation in Tunisia; and what discussions they have with the President on his commitment to democracy in that country.

The UK is concerned by President Saied's decision to dissolve Parliament and the possibility of politicians from the previous government facing criminal charges. Tunisia faces many economic and political challenges that can only be addressed through democratic engagement, transparency, the protection of human rights, and free speech. The UK has closely monitored the political situation since the changes brought in by President Saied on 25 July 2021, and we will continue to do so. Her Majesty's Ambassador to Tunis met with President Kais Saied to present her credentials in January 2022. The Ambassador welcomed the moves toward public consultation and accountability to the Tunisian people in the President's political roadmap, and shared her hope that Tunisians would achieve their aspirations for jobs, freedoms and dignity.