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days of the nationalist struggle, had taken place outside the monarchy, which had remained a fossil instirution incapable of inspiring affection or admiraion. Tihe neo-Destour had been the focus of national life and Bourguiba the national hero.
Accordingly on July 25, 1057, the Assembly unanimously passed a resolution abolishing the monarchy and proclaiming Tunisia a repablic Premier Bouguiba was entrusted with the duties of head of state until the constiution was ready. That was not undl June 1oso, and nacional elections were not held until November that vear, so that for two years Tunisia functioned provisionally with Bourguiba as head of state and head of goverment without a legislative assembly in cxistence. This meant a heavy concentration of power in the hands of one man, and it is significant that almost all the social refomm legislation was promulgated in che period between 1956 and 1959 by executive decree and bears the stamp of the presidential personality.
The constinion as adopted stablished Tunisia as a republican state, with islam its religioa end Arabic is language, which forms a part of the "Greater Maghrib." The choice of regine was infuenced both by American ideas-Bourguiba has always been an admirer of Franklin D. Roosevelt, whom he resembles
in many ways-and, negaively, by the example of the Fourch Republic in France, the wealness of which was fully demonstrated while the document was under study. Thus a presidential regime was chosen which gives much power to the executive but provides a legislative check as well. The President is elected directly by uriversal adult sufrage for a period of fve years and can hold office for three terons. Like the Aunerican president, he appoints his cabinet (whose menbers are tidled Secretaries of Sate rather than Ministers), is Commander-inchief of the armed forces, declares war and makes peace, and ratifes treaties with the agreement of the Assembly, The President can introduce legislation which then takes precedence, can issue orders in council while the assembly is not in session,
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