WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism, on Tuesday released the following statement:

“It’s becoming impossible to believe President Saied's claims that he is committed to transitioning his country back to democracy,” said Murphy. “His latest move to obliterate the Supreme Judicial Council suggests Tunisia continues its plunge into authoritarianism. President Saied has pledged to turn around his country’s economy and root out corruption – admirable goals that the Tunisian people have long demanded. But he cannot successfully do that without the international community’s financial support, and we need to make clear that support is linked to a democratic course correction.”

In December, Murphy joined the Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) Executive Director Stephen McInerney to discuss U.S. policy towards Tunisia. Murphy’s remarks come on the heels of Tunisian President Kais Saied’s promise to hold votes on a new constitution and parliament next year. In September, Murphy led a congressional delegation to Tunisia where he met with President Kais Saied, representatives of civil society organizations, and members of parliament to express support for the Tunisian people’s goal of a democratic government. Murphy also authored an op-ed calling for the U.S. to reconsider our security assistance package to Tunisia following news that President Saied declared his intention to suspend parts of the constitution.

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