July 25, 1957
The session was chaired by Mr. Jellouli Farès, President of the Assembly, in the presence of the members of the Assembly, including Leader Habib Bourguiba who, since April 14, 1956, had served as head of the first government of Independent Tunisia. After a long debate, the Assembly unanimously adopted the following decisions : first, abolishing the monarchical system in Tunisia ; second proclaiming the Republic of Tunisia. At the end of the Plenary session, the president of the National Constituent Assembly read the following resolution :
In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful,
We, the delegates of the Tunisian Nation and mem¬bers of the National Constituent Assembly :
In virtue of the full powers conferred on us by the People;
In order to enhance the foundations of the State’s In¬dependence and People’s Sovereignty; And in view of instituting a democratic form of gov¬ernment pursued by the Assembly by the elaboration of a Constitution; Have, in the name of the People, adopted the fol¬lowing decision which is to be immediately carried into effect:
- We declare the monarchic regime to be totally abolished;
- We declare Tunisia to be a Republican state;
- We give Mr. Habib Bourguiba, the President of the Council, the responsibility of Head of State at the present conditions until the enforcement of the Con¬stitution, and confer on him the title of "President of the Republic of Tunisia".
- The Government is in charge of putting into force the present decision and taking all the necessary measures for the safeguarding of the Republican form of government; we assign the President of the Assembly, the Secretary General of the Assembly Office, and the Government to make known before everyone the present decision.
Made at the Assembly House at Le Bardo on 26 Dhoul-Hijja 1376 (25 July 1957) at 18:00.
President of the Assembly
Jellouli Fares
