Country Information - GovernmentPresident
The Republic of Tunisia is headed by a President who is elected every five years.
From the day of its independence in 1956, Tunisia committed itself to a path of progress and modernity. The very first act of the Tunisian Assembly in1956 was the adoption of the Personal Status Code, which abolished polygamy and codified the emancipation of women and their equality with men. ParliamentThe people exercise a legislative power through the Chamber of Deputies and the Chamber of Councillors or through referendum. The members of the National Parliament are elected by universal, free, direct, and secret suffrage, as specified by the Electoral Code. Election for the Chamber of Deputies is held every five years. The number of the members of Chamber of Councillors should not exceed two thirds of that of the Chamber of Deputies. The Electoral Code sets the number every six years, taking into consideration the number of the members of the Chamber of Deputies in office. Both the President of the Republic and the Chamber of Deputies have the power to initiate laws. The Chamber of Deputies and the Chamber of Councillors adopt organic bills and draft Finance and budget regulation laws. The Chamber of Deputies can call into question the responsibility of the government by voting on a motion of censure, in case it turns out that the government is not acting in conformity with the general policy of the State and the fundamental choices spelled out in articles 49 and 58 of the Constitution. Following October 25, 2009 legislative elections, 7 political parties shared the 214 seats of the Chamber of Deputies as follows:
Other governing and consultative bodies include the Administrative Court, the Court of Accounts, the Social and Economic Council, the Constitutional Council and the Higher Islamic Council. For further information： |