North Africa and the Middle East after the Arab Uprisings: A New Separation of Powers?

This chapter analyzes the separation of powers and forms of government in North Africa and the Middle East following the “Arab Spring” and shows that most Arab constitutions still guarantee (albeit to a lesser extent than in the past) an extremely high concentration of power in the hands of the Head of State, thus favouring the continuation in office of illiberal regimes. This weak separation of powers is due to different reasons, including the constitutional tradition, top-down constitution-making processes and external influences. The only notable exception (at least for the moment) is Tunisia, which has already reached an advanced stage in the process of democratization.