Foreign Minister Steinmeier on the adoption of a new Tunisian constitution

By Germany - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Foreign Minister Steinmeier on the adoption of a new Tunisian constitution
Foreign Minister Steinmeier on the adoption of a new Tunisian constitution

BERLIN, Germany, January 27, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier issued the following statement today (27 January) on the formal adoption of a new Tunisian constitution by the constituent assembly:

I congratulate the Tunisian people on their new constitution. This was a hard-won political success.


Tunisia is the country where the Arab spring began more than three years ago. While some hopes have not materialised, Tunisia has shown the world today that genuine progress towards democracy and the rule of law, tolerance and civil rights is possible. The inclusive, democratic procedure culminating in the new constitution was exemplary. Even serious setbacks have not caused the process embarked upon during the revolution to derail.


What matters now is to continue consistently implementing the agreed timetable, form the all-party transitional government and organise the elections.


Germany will spare no effort to support her Tunisian partners on their way towards a stable democracy.

On 27 January in Tunis, the members of the constituent assembly adopted the new Tunisian constitution by a large margin. In late 2010 and early 2011, the Arab revolutions kicked off in Tunisia. In January 2011, the old constitution was suspended amidst the political turmoil, parliament was dissolved and a transitional government installed. A constituent national assembly was then mandated to draft a new constitution, which was adopted today.