Kais Saied (Arabic: قيس سعيد; born 22 February 1958) is a Tunisian jurist, academic, and politician who has served as the President of Tunisia since 23 October 2019. He was elected as an independent candidate in the 2019 presidential election, winning the second round with approximately 72 % of the vote.
Early life and education
Kais Saied was born in the Bab Souika district of Tunis, Tunisia. He pursued higher education in law at the University of Tunis, earning a licence (equivalent to a bachelor's degree) in 1979. He continued his studies at the same institution, receiving a master's degree in 1992 and a doctorate in constitutional law in 2000. His doctoral dissertation focused on the principles of constitutionalism and the development of democratic institutions in the Arab world.
Academic career
Following his graduation, Saied joined the Faculty of Law and Political Science at the University of Carthage (formerly the University of Tunis) as a lecturer. He progressed to become a professor of constitutional law, specializing in comparative constitutional studies and the legal frameworks of democratic governance. Saied also served as the director of the university’s Center for Constitutional Studies and participated in various national and international conferences on legal reform.
Political career
Saied entered the political arena as an independent candidate in the 2019 Tunisian presidential election. Campaigning on an anti-corruption platform and advocating for a return to constitutional principles, he positioned himself as a political outsider opposed to the established parties. In the first round of voting on 15 September 2019, Saied secured the second-highest number of votes, advancing to a runoff against Nabil Karoui. He won the second round on 13 October 2019 with a decisive margin, and his inauguration took place on 23 October 2019.
Presidency
Constitutional reforms
Saïd’s tenure has been marked by significant constitutional and institutional reforms. In July 2021, citing political deadlock and economic challenges, he invoked Article 80 of the Tunisian Constitution to suspend the activities of the Parliament and assume executive authority through a series of decrees. He appointed a new prime minister, established a “national dialogue” intended to resolve the political crisis, and called for a constitutional referendum.
The 2022 referendum resulted in the adoption of a new constitution that expanded presidential powers, reduced the role of the legislature, and altered the composition of the Constitutional Court. The changes were approved by a majority of voters who participated in the referendum, though turnout was relatively low.
Domestic policies
Saied’s administration has emphasized anti-corruption measures, public sector reforms, and the promotion of Tunisian sovereignty in economic matters. Initiatives have included the creation of a “National Guard” to address security concerns, reforms to the tax system, and efforts to attract foreign investment.
Controversies and criticism
Saied’s concentration of executive authority has drawn criticism from domestic opposition parties, civil‑society groups, and international observers, who allege a drift toward authoritarianism. Specific concerns include restrictions on media freedom, the dissolution of certain independent institutions (such as the Independent High Authority for Elections), and the arrest of journalists and activists under anti‑terrorism and defamation statutes. Human‑rights organizations have called for the protection of freedom of expression and the safeguarding of judicial independence.
Personal life
Kais Saied is married to Chadlia Saied and is the father of three children. He is known to be multilingual, speaking Arabic and French fluently, with limited proficiency in English. Saied maintains a low public profile regarding personal matters, focusing public communication primarily on political and legal issues.
References
- Official Presidential website of the Republic of Tunisia.
- University of Carthage faculty records.
- Tunisian electoral commission results, 2019.
- Reports from international human‑rights organizations on Tunisia (2021‑2023).
Note: This entry reflects information available from publicly verifiable sources up to June 2026.