Kais Saied

The neutral encyclopedia of notable people
Kais Saied
Saied in 2023
Kais Saied
Born22 2, 1958
BirthplaceTunis, Tunisia
NationalityTunisian
OccupationJurist, lecturer in law, politician
TitlePresident of Tunisia
Known forPresident of Tunisia (2019–present)
EducationUniversity of Tunis; International Institute of Humanitarian Law
Spouse(s)Ichraf Saied
Children3
AwardsOrder of National Merit (Algeria)

Kais Saied (Template:Lang-ar; born 22 February 1958) is a Tunisian politician, jurist, and former assistant professor of constitutional law who has served as the fifth President of Tunisia since October 2019. Before entering politics, Saied spent decades as an academic specializing in constitutional law and served as president of the Tunisian Association of Constitutional Law from 1995 to 2019. He entered the 2019 Tunisian presidential election as an independent candidate running on a socially conservative, populist, anti-corruption platform, and won the second round decisively with 72.71% of the vote against businessman Nabil Karoui.[1] His unconventional grassroots campaign, conducted largely on foot and without substantial party backing, earned him comparisons in the Tunisian and international press to figures ranging from "Robocop" to "Robespierre."[2][3] Since taking office, Saied has been associated with significant democratic backsliding in Tunisia, having dismissed the parliament and prime minister in July 2021, subsequently ruling by decree, overseeing the dismissal of judges, and orchestrating the passage of a new constitution that concentrated executive power. He was re-elected to a second term in October 2024.

Early Life

Kais Saied was born on 22 February 1958 in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia.[4] He grew up in the Tunisian capital during a period of significant political and social transformation under the rule of President Habib Bourguiba. Details about his parents and family background during his formative years remain limited in published sources.

Saied developed an early interest in law and public affairs. His austere personal style and reputation for strict adherence to principles became defining characteristics that would later shape his public image. He was known for speaking formal Modern Standard Arabic rather than the Tunisian Arabic dialect commonly used in daily life, a trait that contributed to his distinctive public persona and earned him attention among Tunisian audiences.[5]

His formative years in Tunis coincided with Tunisia's single-party political system under the Neo Destour and later the Constitutional Democratic Rally, which dominated the country's political landscape for decades. The political environment of this era, characterized by centralized authority and limited political pluralism, would later inform Saied's own views on governance, political reform, and the role of institutions in Tunisian society.

Education

Saied pursued his higher education at the University of Tunis, where he studied law. He went on to specialize in constitutional law, a field that would define both his academic career and his later political trajectory.[6] He also studied at the International Institute of Humanitarian Law, based in Sanremo, Italy, where he gained exposure to international humanitarian law and comparative legal frameworks. His academic training in both domestic constitutional law and international legal norms provided him with a foundation that he would draw upon throughout his career as a lecturer and, later, as a political figure advocating for constitutional reform in Tunisia.

Career

Academic Career

Following the completion of his legal studies, Saied embarked on an academic career that spanned several decades. He served as an assistant professor of constitutional law at Tunisian universities, where he became known for his deep expertise in constitutional matters and his rigorous lecturing style.[7] His teaching career earned him recognition among generations of law students in Tunisia, many of whom would later become his supporters during his presidential campaign.

In 1995, Saied was elected president of the Tunisian Association of Constitutional Law, a position he held for nearly a quarter century, until 2019.[6] In this role, he became one of the most prominent voices on constitutional matters in Tunisia and was frequently consulted by media outlets and political actors on questions of constitutional interpretation and governance. His tenure at the head of the association coincided with significant political events in Tunisia, including the final years of the Zine El Abidine Ben Ali regime, the Tunisian Revolution of 2010–2011, and the subsequent democratic transition that led to the adoption of the 2014 Tunisian constitution.

Saied's academic reputation and his consistent public commentary on constitutional matters gave him a high public profile even before he entered politics. He was a familiar figure on Tunisian television, where his appearances discussing legal and constitutional questions became well-known. His distinctive manner of speaking in formal Arabic, his measured tone, and his austere demeanor earned him the nickname "Robocop" among Tunisian commentators and the public.[8]

Entry into Politics and 2019 Presidential Campaign

Saied announced his candidacy for the 2019 Tunisian presidential election as an independent, without the backing of any political party.[9] He had previously signaled his intention to run in December 2018, stating in an interview that he would seek the presidency in 2019.[10] In interviews, he emphasized that he would not represent any party and positioned himself as a candidate outside the established political class.[11]

His campaign was notable for its unconventional nature. Saied conducted much of his campaigning on foot, going door to door in neighborhoods and meeting voters directly rather than relying on large-scale rallies, media buys, or the organizational apparatus of a political party.[7] He ran on a platform that combined social conservatism with populist anti-corruption messaging. His proposals included a radical restructuring of Tunisia's political system, advocating for a form of bottom-up governance in which local councils would hold greater power, effectively decentralizing authority away from the central government and the parliament in Tunis. He expressed opposition to the existing parliamentary system, going so far as to state that he would eliminate legislative elections in their current form.[12]

Saied also took conservative positions on social issues. He expressed support for the death penalty and opposition to the normalization of relations with Israel, describing any ties with Israel as "high treason."[13][14]

His candidacy attracted support from across the political spectrum, including from the Ennahda party and other groups, despite his independent status. He drew particular support from young Tunisians disillusioned with the political establishment that had governed since the 2011 revolution.[15] The French press drew comparisons between Saied and Maximilien Robespierre, the French revolutionary leader, on account of his austere personality and his rhetoric of radical political change.[16]

2019 Election Victory

In the first round of the presidential election, held on 15 September 2019, Saied finished in first place, advancing to the runoff against Nabil Karoui, a media mogul who was at the time detained on money laundering charges.[17] The contrast between the two candidates was striking: Saied, the austere law professor who campaigned on foot, versus Karoui, a wealthy businessman compared by some media outlets to Silvio Berlusconi.

In the second round, held on 13 October 2019, Saied won a decisive victory, receiving 72.71% of the vote.[18] His supporters hailed the result as a "new revolution," invoking the spirit of the 2011 uprising that had toppled Ben Ali. The election was noted by international observers as a rare instance in which an independent candidate with no party machinery and limited funding defeated an establishment-backed opponent by a wide margin.

Saied was sworn in as the fifth president of Tunisia on 23 October 2019, succeeding acting president Mohamed Ennaceur.[19] International coverage of the inauguration highlighted the unprecedented nature of his rise, with the Financial Times and other outlets noting both the optimism surrounding his election and the challenges he faced in governing without a parliamentary majority or established party support.[20][21]

Presidency

Early Tenure (2019–2021)

In the initial period of his presidency, Saied operated within the framework of the 2014 Tunisian constitution, which established a semi-presidential system in which executive power was shared between the president and a prime minister accountable to parliament. Saied's early tenure was marked by tensions with the parliament, which was fragmented among numerous parties, and with successive prime ministers. He served alongside Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, among others, during a period of acute political gridlock.

Saied's presidency attracted attention for his unconventional personal style. A handwritten letter he sent to a Tunisian official went viral on social media, drawing both admiration for its authenticity and commentary on its old-fashioned approach to communication in the digital age.[22][23]

Tunisia faced mounting economic difficulties during this period, compounded by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rising unemployment, inflation, and public dissatisfaction with the political class created conditions for social unrest. In January 2021, protests erupted across Tunisia in response to alleged police brutality, economic hardship, and frustrations over the handling of the pandemic.

25 July 2021: Dismissal of Parliament

On 25 July 2021, amid a deepening political and health crisis, Saied invoked emergency powers to dismiss Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and suspend the activities of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People. He announced that he would assume executive authority and govern with the assistance of a new prime minister of his choosing. The move was described by critics, opposition parties, and many international observers as a self-coup, while Saied and his supporters characterized it as a necessary response to political dysfunction and corruption.

The dismissal of parliament marked a turning point in Tunisia's post-revolutionary political trajectory. Tunisia had been considered the sole success story of the Arab Spring, having transitioned to a democratic system following the 2011 revolution. Saied's actions effectively ended the period of parliamentary democracy that had prevailed since 2014.

Rule by Decree and Constitutional Changes

Following the suspension of parliament, Saied ruled by decree, issuing executive orders on a range of policy matters without legislative oversight. He oversaw the dismissal of numerous judges and the arrest of political opposition figures, including leaders of the Ennahda Movement, which had been a major party in parliament and had initially supported his presidential candidacy.

Saied moved to consolidate his authority through institutional changes. He organized a referendum on a new constitution, which was approved by voters in July 2022. The new constitution significantly expanded presidential powers at the expense of the legislature and the judiciary, effectively replacing the semi-presidential system established by the 2014 constitution with a presidential system in which the president held predominant authority. Critics described the new constitution as a return to the kind of authoritarian governance that had characterized Tunisia under Bourguiba and Ben Ali.

Saied subsequently called snap legislative elections, which were held under new electoral rules. The elections were marked by low voter turnout, and the new parliament that resulted had significantly reduced powers compared to its predecessor.

Re-election in 2024

Kais Saied stood for re-election in October 2024 and won a second presidential term. The election took place in a political environment in which major opposition figures had been imprisoned or barred from participation, and international observers and human rights organizations raised concerns about the fairness of the electoral process.

Foreign Policy

On foreign policy, Saied maintained Tunisia's traditionally non-aligned stance while articulating firm positions on certain issues. He was outspoken in his opposition to normalization of relations with Israel, describing any such ties as constituting "high treason."[24] This position resonated with significant portions of the Tunisian public, where support for the Palestinian cause has historically been strong.

In regional diplomacy, Saied engaged with neighboring Algeria, visiting the country early in his presidency. In February 2020, Algeria awarded Saied the Medal of the Order of National Merit, reflecting the traditionally close relations between the two North African states.[25]

Personal Life

Kais Saied is married to Ichraf Saied. The couple has three children. Saied has been noted for his austere and private personal style, rarely discussing his family life in public.[7] He is known for his habitual use of formal Modern Standard Arabic in all public settings, a practice uncommon among Tunisian political figures, who more typically speak in Tunisian Arabic. This linguistic choice became one of his most recognizable traits and contributed to his "Robocop" nickname, a reference to his rigid and formal manner of expression.[26]

Saied is described as socially conservative. He has expressed support for the death penalty and has taken conservative positions on social and cultural issues.[27] His personal conduct and austere lifestyle stood in contrast to many of Tunisia's political elite, a factor that contributed to his appeal among voters dissatisfied with the established political class.

Recognition

Saied's unexpected electoral victory in 2019 received extensive coverage in international media. His rise from obscure academic to head of state was the subject of profiles in numerous publications, including Jeune Afrique, Le Point, L'Obs, the Financial Times, Reuters, AP News, TV5Monde, and the Middle East Eye.[28][29]

In February 2020, Saied was awarded the Medal of the Order of National Merit by Algeria during an official visit, recognizing the bilateral relationship between Tunisia and Algeria.[30]

His nicknames—"Robocop" for his rigid demeanor and formal speech, and comparisons to "Robespierre" for his uncompromising political stance—became widely used in both Tunisian and international discourse. These monikers reflected both public fascination with his unusual persona and, among critics, concern about his concentration of power.[31][32]

Legacy

Kais Saied's presidency represents a significant and contested chapter in Tunisian political history. His election in 2019 was initially received by many as evidence of the vitality of Tunisian democracy—a political outsider with no party or financial backing winning the presidency through grassroots mobilization and popular support. The 2019 election was noted as a free and competitive contest in which voters chose a candidate who promised to overhaul the political system and address corruption.[33]

However, Saied's subsequent actions—particularly the dismissal of parliament in July 2021, rule by decree, the arrest of political opponents, the dissolution of the judiciary

  1. ↑ "Hailing 'new revolution,' political outsider Saied elected Tunisia's president".Reuters.2019-10-14.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tunisia-election/hailing-new-revolution-political-outsider-saied-elected-tunisias-president-idUSKBN1WT1GO.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ "Tunisie : Kaïs Saïed, un Robespierre en campagne".Le Point.2019-09-11.https://www.lepoint.fr/afrique/tunisie-kais-saied-un-robespierre-en-campagne-11-09-2019-2335234_3826.php.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ "Tunisia: Saied and Karoui, 'Robocop and Berlusconi,' secure first-round wins in Tunisia's election".Middle East Eye.2019-09-17.https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/tunisia-saied-karoui-robocop-and-berlusconi-secure-first-round-wins-tunisias-election.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "السيرة الذاتية لقيس سعيد المرشح لرئاسة الحكومة".Arabesque.http://www.arabesque.tn/ar/actualite/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%B4%D8%AD-%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%A6%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9?id=7666.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ "Robocop, ultra-conservateur... 10 choses à savoir sur Kaïs Saïed".L'Obs.2019-09-17.https://www.nouvelobs.com/monde/20190917.OBS18538/robocop-ultra-conservateur-10-choses-a-savoir-sur-kais-saied.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "السيرة الذاتية لقيس سعيد المرشح لرئاسة الحكومة".Arabesque.http://www.arabesque.tn/ar/actualite/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%B4%D8%AD-%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%A6%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9?id=7666.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Qui est Kaïs Saïed, l'infatigable marcheur qui a emporté le premier tour de la présidentielle en Tunisie".Leaders.https://www.leaders.com.tn/article/27968-qui-est-kais-saied-l-infatigable-marcheur-qui-a-emporte-le-premier-tour-de-la-presidentielle-en-tunisie-album-photos.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ "Robocop, ultra-conservateur... 10 choses à savoir sur Kaïs Saïed".L'Obs.2019-09-17.https://www.nouvelobs.com/monde/20190917.OBS18538/robocop-ultra-conservateur-10-choses-a-savoir-sur-kais-saied.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "Kaïs Saïed : je me présenterai aux présidentielles en tant qu'indépendant".Webdo.2019-03-23.http://www.webdo.tn/2019/03/23/kais-saied-je-me-presenterai-aux-presidentielles-en-tant-quindependant/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "Tunisie – Kaïs Saïed candidat aux élections présidentielles de 2019".Direct Info.2018-12-03.https://directinfo.webmanagercenter.com/2018/12/03/tunisie-kais-said-candidat-aux-elections-presidentielles-de-2019/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "Présidentielle en Tunisie – Kaïs Saïed : « Je ne serai candidat d'aucun parti »".Jeune Afrique.2018.https://www.jeuneafrique.com/654112/politique/presidentielle-en-tunisie-kais-saied-je-ne-serai-candidat-daucun-parti/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "Kaïs Saïed : j'éliminerai les élections législatives et je suis pour la peine de mort".Business News.http://www.businessnews.com.tn/Ka%C3%AFs-Sa%C3%AFed--j%E2%80%99%C3%A9liminerai-les-%C3%A9lections-l%C3%A9gislatives-et-je-suis-pour-la-peine-de-mort,520,88453,3.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "New Tunisian president regards any ties with Israel as 'high treason'".The Times of Israel.2019-10-14.https://www.timesofisrael.com/new-tunisian-president-regards-any-ties-with-israel-as-high-treason/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "New Tunisian president regards any ties with Israel as 'high treason'".Israel National News.2019-10-14.http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/270111.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "Présidentielle en Tunisie : dix choses à savoir sur Kaïs Saïed, deuxième dans les sondages".Jeune Afrique.2019.https://www.jeuneafrique.com/mag/762621/politique/presidentielle-en-tunisie-dix-choses-a-savoir-sur-kais-saied-deuxieme-dans-les-sondages/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "Tunisie : Kaïs Saïed, un Robespierre en campagne".Le Point.2019-09-11.https://www.lepoint.fr/afrique/tunisie-kais-saied-un-robespierre-en-campagne-11-09-2019-2335234_3826.php.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Tunisia: Saied and Karoui, 'Robocop and Berlusconi,' secure first-round wins in Tunisia's election".Middle East Eye.2019-09-16.https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/tunisia-saied-karoui-robocop-and-berlusconi-secure-first-round-wins-tunisias-election.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "Hailing 'new revolution,' political outsider Saied elected Tunisia's president".Reuters.2019-10-14.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tunisia-election/hailing-new-revolution-political-outsider-saied-elected-tunisias-president-idUSKBN1WT1GO.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "Political outsider Saied sworn in as Tunisia's president".Reuters.2019-10-23.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tunisia-politics/political-outsider-saied-sworn-in-as-tunisias-president-idUSKBN1X215C.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ Financial Times.2019-10.https://www.ft.com/content/543ecf68-ee01-11e9-bfa4-b25f11f42901.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ AP News.2019-10.https://www.apnews.com/8797010575744c6897d5b0df07ba1c28.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ "رسالة سعيد للجملي تثير مواقع التواصل".Arabi21.https://arabi21.com/story/1223125/%D9%83%D8%AA%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B7-%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A-%D8%AA%D8%AB%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%84-%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%AF.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ "بالصور: رسالة من الرئيس التونسي تشعل مواقع التواصل".Al Arabiya.2019-11-16.https://www.alarabiya.net/ar/social-media/2019/11/16/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%86%D8%B3%D9%8A-%D8%AA%D8%B4%D8%B9%D9%84-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%84.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  24. ↑ "New Tunisian president regards any ties with Israel as 'high treason'".The Times of Israel.2019-10-14.https://www.timesofisrael.com/new-tunisian-president-regards-any-ties-with-israel-as-high-treason/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  25. ↑ "L'Algérie décerne la médaille de l'Ordre du Mérite national à Kaïs Saïed".Webdo.2020-02-03.http://www.webdo.tn/2020/02/03/lalgerie-decerne-la-medaille-de-lordre-du-merite-national-a-kais-saied/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  26. ↑ "Robocop, ultra-conservateur... 10 choses à savoir sur Kaïs Saïed".L'Obs.2019-09-17.https://www.nouvelobs.com/monde/20190917.OBS18538/robocop-ultra-conservateur-10-choses-a-savoir-sur-kais-saied.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  27. ↑ "Kaïs Saïed : j'éliminerai les élections législatives et je suis pour la peine de mort".Business News.http://www.businessnews.com.tn/Ka%C3%AFs-Sa%C3%AFed--j%E2%80%99%C3%A9liminerai-les-%C3%A9lections-l%C3%A9gislatives-et-je-suis-pour-la-peine-de-mort,520,88453,3.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  28. ↑ "Présidentielle en Tunisie : dix choses à savoir sur Kaïs Saïed".Jeune Afrique.2019.https://www.jeuneafrique.com/mag/762621/politique/presidentielle-en-tunisie-dix-choses-a-savoir-sur-kais-saied-deuxieme-dans-les-sondages/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  29. ↑ "Qui est Kaïs Saïed, le nouveau président élu".TV5Monde.2019-10-14.https://information.tv5monde.com/afrique/presidentielle-en-tunisie-qui-est-kais-saied-le-nouveau-president-elu-326712.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  30. ↑ "L'Algérie décerne la médaille de l'Ordre du Mérite national à Kaïs Saïed".Webdo.2020-02-03.http://www.webdo.tn/2020/02/03/lalgerie-decerne-la-medaille-de-lordre-du-merite-national-a-kais-saied/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  31. ↑ "Tunisie : Kaïs Saïed, un Robespierre en campagne".Le Point.2019-09-11.https://www.lepoint.fr/afrique/tunisie-kais-saied-un-robespierre-en-campagne-11-09-2019-2335234_3826.php.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  32. ↑ "Tunisia: Saied and Karoui, 'Robocop and Berlusconi,' secure first-round wins".Middle East Eye.2019-09-16.https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/tunisia-saied-karoui-robocop-and-berlusconi-secure-first-round-wins-tunisias-election.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  33. ↑ "Hailing 'new revolution,' political outsider Saied elected Tunisia's president".Reuters.2019-10-14.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tunisia-election/hailing-new-revolution-political-outsider-saied-elected-tunisias-president-idUSKBN1WT1GO.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
Retrieved from "https://biography.wiki/index.php?title=Kais_Saied&oldid=2095"