Kais Saied, also spelled Qays Saʿīd, (born February 22, 1958, Banī Khiyār, Nābil province, Tunisia), Tunisian law professor and politician who serves as president of Tunisia (2019– ). He rose to prominence through the popular support of Tunisians who hoped he could repair a dysfunctional political system. However, his term in office has been marred by controversy for his use of emergency decrees and his unilateral replacement of a parliamentary system with a “super-presidential” constitution, which has undone what many saw as the Arab Spring’s most successful transition to democracy. Saied gained renown in Tunisia as an expert in constitutional