Tunisia's President Kais Saied on Monday extended his months-long suspension of parliament until new elections in December 2022, while calling for a July referendum on constitutional reforms.
In a speech on national television, Saied announced a three-month "popular consultation" with the Tunisian people after which "draft constitutional and other reforms will be put forward to referendum on July 25".
That will mark a year since he sacked the government, suspended parliament and seized a string of powers.
On Monday he said that "parliament will remain suspended until new elections... on the basis of a new electoral law" on December 17 next year, the anniversary of the start of the 2011 revolution that chased dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali from power, AFP reported.
Earlier Monday, Saied had told cabinet that constitutions are "not eternal".
"The people exercises its sovereignty in the framework of the constitution," Saied said.
"So if it's not possible for the sovereign people to practice its rights in the framework of a text, then there needs to be a new text."
Saied has frequently but indirectly accused Ennahdha of corruption.
Addressing cabinet on Monday, he cited a court report that accused the party of receiving foreign funding.
"Those who have received and continue to receive money from abroad have no place in parliament," he said.
The envoys of the G7 democratic, developed economies plus the European Union had urged Tunisia on Friday to respect "fundamental freedoms" and set a timeline for a return to democratic institutions.
The diplomatic mission heads of the G7 nations plus the EU called for "a clear timeline allowing for a swift return to functioning democratic institutions, with an elected parliament playing a significant role".
