Demonstration precedes vote on Tunisia's draft constitution

Opposition groups fear it gives the president too much power

Protesters raise flags and placards during the demonstration in Tunis. AFP

Small but noisy demonstrations have taken place in the Tunisian capital before a referendum on Monday on adopting President Kais Saied’s proposed constitution.

A few hundred people marched on Habib Bourguiba Avenue, Tunis’s main thoroughfare, to denounce proposals to change the constitution to augment presidential powers and reduce the role of Parliament and the prime minister.

About 10 people were arrested by police, AP reported.

The draft constitution is the centrepiece of Mr Saied's programme to overhaul Tunisia's political system. Rivals say the text confirms fears he is seeking to reinstall an autocracy in the birthplace of the 2011 Arab uprisings.

The Ennahdha opposition party, which organised the demonstration, is among the president’s fiercest critics.

“We are here so the citizens become aware of the dangers of the referendum and its background, because it leads us to a dictator who does not care about institutions, does not respect them,” said Faouzi Ben Brahim, who was attending the demonstration.

One protester held a banner reading: “No to a constitution of intimidation, no to a constitution of the fait accompli.”

Mr Saied suspended Parliament last year and seized broad powers in a move he claimed was necessary to “save the country” from political and economic crisis.

That sparked opposition criticism, accusing him of shunning democracy and guiding Tunisia towards totalitarianism.