Parliamentary immunity lifted for ten deputies in closed session, sparking communication concerns
via Business News5 min read
A closed-door plenary session of the Assembly of People's Representatives ARP on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, examined requests to lift parliamentary immunity for several deputies. While the Parliament confirmed the session, it did not officially release the exact number or names of the deputies involved, leading to speculation. Information gradually emerged through social media posts and statements from the deputies themselves. Ten deputies had their immunity lifted, including Fatma Mseddi, Anouar Marzouki, Aziz Belakhdher, Youssef Tarchoun, Majdoline Ouerghi, Sami Toujani, Faouzi Daassi, and Mohamed Ben Ahmed. Many of the deputies stated their decision was voluntary, aiming to allow the justice system to proceed with cases against them, primarily related to electoral disputes. Fatma Mseddi, for instance, confirmed her involvement to facilitate a legal procedure initiated against her in 2019, describing it as a "highly political case." She also submitted a bill to ensure the effective application of judicial decisions. Youssef Tarchoun emphasized that the decisions were made "at the request, with insistence and voluntarily" by the deputies. Mohamed Ben Ahmed, president of the Committee on Internal Regulations, Electoral Laws, Parliamentary Laws and Electoral Function, stated that eleven deputies requested the lifting of their immunity, with nearly 90% of cases concerning electoral offenses. He rejected the idea that this was a political or electoral strategy, asserting they were
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The UGTT announced on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, that the first day of the general strike in the banking, financial, and insurance sectors saw significant employee mobilization. The union stated that the movement recorded broad participation across banks, financial institutions, and insurance companies, sharing photos of a rally held in front of its Tunis headquarters. This mobilization occurred on the first day of a scheduled three-day general strike, set for June 23, 24, and 25. The previous day, the General Federation of Banks, Financial Institutions, and Insurance Companies, affiliated with the UGTT, had urged all employees to follow union directives and participate in the movement, inviting those in Greater Tunis to gather at the union's headquarters. The dispute is between the union federation and the Banking and Financial Council, stemming from stalled social negotiations. Key demands include the application of salary increases for 2025, the impact of the 2025 finance law on employees' purchasing power, and the resumption of social dialogue. Earlier in the day, UGTT Deputy Secretary General Slaheddine Selmi criticized what he views as a decline in dialogue with authorities, accusing the Ministry of Finance of refusing to consider the union's proposals for the 2027 Finance Law. Sami Salhi, Secretary General of the General Federation of Banks, Financial Institutions, and Insurance Companies, condemned threats of salary deductions against strikers and reiterated the federati
Must ReadThe Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the successful completion of the first pediatric kidney transplant at the Béchir Hamza Children's Hospital in Bab Saâdoun, Tunisia. The operation, performed on the evening of Monday, June 22, was successful, and the child's condition is stable and reassuring, with close medical monitoring. The ministry stated that this achievement was possible due to the mobilization of medical, paramedical, technical, and administrative teams, as well as the hospital's advanced equipment. The pediatric nephrology and urology departments of Charles-Nicolle Hospital also contributed, in coordination with the National Center for Organ Transplant Promotion and all stakeholders in the donation and transplant process. The Ministry of Health views this as a major advancement for Tunisian medicine, offering new hope to children with severe kidney failure and demonstrating the expertise of public hospital teams. The ministry also honored the donor's family for their act of solidarity and humanity, which provided a child with a new chance at life.
Must ReadOn Tuesday, June 23, 2026, deputies, meeting in a closed session, authorized the judiciary to proceed with cases against ten of their colleagues. The cases primarily involve electoral offenses that occurred prior to the current legislature. A total of 21 files concerning eleven deputies were reviewed during the plenary session held at the Bardo Palace. Yousri Baouab, a member of the Internal Rules Committee, confirmed that the parliament approved the requests to lift immunity for ten deputies. He also stated that the deputies involved had voluntarily waived their constitutional right to parliamentary immunity, expressing their willingness to appear before the courts. One case was not decided during this session and was referred back to the relevant committee for further review due to organizational reasons. The parliamentary authorities have not disclosed the identities of the deputies or the specific nature of the facts examined. The procedure for lifting parliamentary immunity is governed by articles 65 and 66 of the Constitution of July 25, 2022, and the internal rules of the Assembly of People's Representatives. These articles outline that a deputy cannot be prosecuted or arrested during their term without the Assembly lifting their immunity, except in cases of flagrante delicto. Immunity does not apply to offenses such as insult, defamation, or violence, nor when a deputy obstructs the regular functioning of parliament. The internal rules detail the process, including ex