In a national TV address, Mr Saied also laid out plans for a referendum on the constitution next year.

Ever since he froze parliament and dismissed the then prime minister back in July, the Tunisian President Kais Saied has continued to cement his hold on power while stressing that his actions have been necessary to shake a corrupt political status quo and reinvigorate the failing economy.

In a speech last month, Mr Saied talked of purifying state institutions as the only way to purify the country.

To his supporters, this remains a persuasive message - but his opponents still believe that what he has done and is doing amounts to a political coup.

Mr Saied's plan for a public consultation process to begin next month on constitutional reform will either please or further alarm each side in equal measure.

In case his message wasn't clear enough, the president has set the date for a referendum on the constitution to take place next 25 July - exactly a year on from the day he staged his dramatic seizure of full executive power.