VOA常速英语:Tunisia Approves New Constitution

Tunisia’s national assembly voted to approve the country’s new constitution on January 26th – its first since the ouster of longtime president Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali three years ago.

On Wednesday, Tunisia’s former Industry Minister Mehdi Jomaa was sworn in as Tunisia’s new Prime Minister to lead an independent government as part of a deal to end a month’s long political crisis until new elections are held.

The United States is encouraged by the vote to ratify Tunisia’s constitution and select a new government. “The ratification of a new democratic constitution and the installation of an independent government to lead the country towards new elections,” said U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, “are historic milestones in Tunisia’s democratic transition.”

The approval of a new constitution is a key step to establishing full democracy in Tunisia, the birthplace of the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings that toppled autocratic leaders throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

The debates, discussions, and compromises throughout the process of drafting and ratifying the new constitution resulted in a document that respects and guarantees the rights of all Tunisians. The United States looks forward to further steps in the democratic transition, in particular, setting a date for early elections so that Tunisian citizens can choose their new leaders and determine the country’s future.

The United States continues to believe the Tunisian people can and will achieve their aspirations for a democratic society, and as a longstanding friend of Tunisia, the United States will continue to support Tunisia’s democratic transition.

“From Tunisia to Burma,” said President Barack Obama his recent State of the Union address, “we’re supporting those who are willing to do the hard work of building democracy.”