Tunisian President lauds Qatar's decision to hold Shura Council elections

Doha: President of the Republic of Tunisia H E Kais Saied has lauded the State of Qatar’s decision to hold Shura Council elections in October 2021, which was announced by Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during the 49th ordinary session of the Shura Council.

“Such a decision would allow more popular participation in decision-making. It is important, as you are heading to the Shura elections, that the constitution fulfils its objectives,” the Tunisian President said during an open discussion organised by Lusail University yesterday.

Several ministers, senior officials, ambassadors accredited to the state, businesspersons, and local and international media representatives attended the discussion.

“The true constitution is the constitution that protects every citizen. Public seeks its implementation because they are convinced of everything in it,” he said.

President Saied discussed the history of constitutions in the Arab world and the concept of constitution throughout history, as well as the Tunisian experience with the constitution. He noted that the real constitution is the one that every citizen carries and looks forward to achieving. He said that the general principles and first chapters of most constitutions in the world are similar and generally agree on rights.

The open discussion focused mainly on the Tunisian experience as it was a rich and distinct experience. The country emerged from the revolution with the least losses compared to other Arab countries.

The President also spoke about Tunisians’ demand for a new constitution and the debate in Tunisia about the political system and the power division.

Director of Tunisian President’s office, Nadia Okasha, and QIIB Chairman, Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dar Al Sharq Group, Dr. Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani, during the event.

People have begun to organise themselves with the social media revolution. The President said, away from parties, which creates new patterns of organisation in human life.

“The world today is witnessing fundamental changes with the development of social media. As communication means, it has organized people differently, which requires a new approach that is different from the traditional approaches. Therefore, some presidents were chosen as independent personalities from outside the political parties,” he said.

For his part, Attorney-General and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Lusail University H E Dr. Ali bin Fetais Al Marri, said that the Tunisian experience was a rich and distinct experience at the beginning of the meeting hence, its discussion. 

“Qatar has a constitution that meets the aspirations of the people, and the Shura Council elections announced by H H the Amir will create a kind of broader participation in the making of legislation. At the same time, we will remain attached to our traditions that stem from our culture, keen to expand the base of participation without neglecting the heritage,” he said.

He also highlighted the constitutional experience in the State of Qatar, which was strengthened during the reign of H H the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani with the formation of the Committee for the Drafting of the Permanent Constitution in 1999, then the referendum on the Draft Permanent Constitution in 2003, stressing that the country witnessed a breakthrough in the legal aspects for building the modern state.

He said that the announcement by H H the Amir regarding Al Shura Council is a qualitative leap in the legislation of the State of Qatar.

Dr. Al Marri announced the establishment of the International Association of Constitutional Law headed by H E President of the Republic of Tunisia Kais Saied, one of the scholars of constitutional law. He also announced that the Association would hold its first annual conference in Tunis in November 2021.