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 Monday released the following statement on Tunisia’s low turnout in its parliamentary runoff elections:

“Another round of shockingly low turnout in Tunisia’s parliamentary runoffs suggests that the Tunisian people have lost all faith in these elections and the direction that President Saied is taking their country. His consolidation of power and turn toward authoritarianism has severely weakened Tunisia’s democracy while also failing to bring any relief to the ongoing economic crisis. I’m glad to see Ambassador Hood sworn in today to begin work leading our embassy in Tunis, and I do not believe the United States should provide the Tunisian government with additional support until there is a significant democratic course correction in the country,” said Murphy.

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