Tunisia opposition protests against president amid economic discontent

On Thursday, Tunisian activists and opponents of President Kais Saied took to the streets of Tunis, demanding his removal and the restoration of democracy. The protest echoed a similar demonstration last month, which took place on the anniversary of Saied's actions on July 25, 2021, when he dismissed the government and dissolved the elected parliament, subsequently governing by decree.

Saied's subsequent actions, including dissolving the Supreme Judicial Council and removing numerous judges, have been met with widespread condemnation from international rights groups, who argue that the moves undermine judicial independence.

Despite not signaling an imminent political shift, the protests reveal growing pressure on President Saied and the capacity of his opponents to organize in the streets, despite divisions within the opposition. Protesters carried banners advocating for the restoration of freedoms and criticized the country's deteriorating economic and social conditions. Wissem Sghaier, an activist, told Reuters, "Enough of the failure, enough of the injustice and enough of the absurdity. The country is experiencing a complete collapse."

Tunisians are grappling with mounting economic and cost-of-living pressures, public services deterioration, and shortages of basic goods and medicines. Recent weeks have seen protests across the country over water and power cuts, as well as environmental issues, indicating that public anger is spreading beyond political disputes with Saied to the mounting hardships of daily life.

Rights groups accuse Saied's government of conducting a broad crackdown on opposition leaders, independent civil society groups, journalists, and activists, asserting that he has utilized the judiciary and security forces to suppress dissent.

Saied denies accusations of political repression, claiming he is enforcing the law and pursuing individuals suspected of financial corruption or conspiring against the state.