Hundreds of Tunisians demonstrated in the streets of Tunis on Saturday to denounce the policies of President Kais Saied, whom they accuse of undermining civil liberties and exacerbating the country's economic and social crisis. The rally took place amidst a climate of high political tension.
The protesters marched under the slogan: "The people are hungry and the prisons are full." Several participants denounced the rising cost of living, the deteriorating economic conditions, and the increasing number of arrests targeting political opponents, journalists, and civil society figures.
In the marches, placards called for an end to "one-man rule." For several months, criticism of the Tunisian president has been mounting, with some opponents arguing that the country has been sliding towards authoritarianism since the exceptional measures taken by Kaïs Saïed in 2021.
The protesters also expressed their concern about the erosion of freedoms and the concentration of power in the hands of the head of state. Human rights organizations have repeatedly raised the alarm about the political situation in Tunisia and the prosecutions of certain figures critical of the government.
Alongside the political crisis, Tunisia continues to face significant economic difficulties. High inflation, unemployment, and shortages of certain basic goods are fueling popular discontent in several regions of the country.
Despite criticism, Kais Saied maintains he wants to fight corruption and defend the country's stability. His supporters believe his reforms are necessary to restore order to a political system long plagued by divisions and institutional gridlock.
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