US urges more democratic inclusion in Tunisia

The United States has called on Tunisia to show greater democratic inclusion amid a low turnout at recent parliamentary elections.

Just 11% of voters took part in a second round of elections that ended on Sunday.

“The low voter turnout reflects the dire need for the government to engage in a more inclusive path going forward to further expand political participation,” State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said.

Opposition parties boycotted the poll, accusing the president of staging a coup after he shut down parliament in 2021 and gave himself almost unlimited executive powers.

Mr Saied has defended the low turnout as a sign of discontent with parliament.