Thousands of demonstrators marched in the Tunisian capital on Saturday, calling for the resignation of President Kais Saied. The protest marked the fifth anniversary of the president’s 2021 decision to suspend parliament and dismiss the government.
The march took place in central Tunis, with participants chanting slogans, including “the people want the fall of the regime,” a phrase widely used during the 2011 Tunisian Revolution. Organizers and attendees cited ongoing economic difficulties, including rising inflation and unemployment, as well as political concerns, as reasons for the demonstration.
The event marks five years since the political changes initiated on July 25, 2021. On that date, President Saied invoked Article 80 of the constitution to suspend the legislature and dismiss the sitting prime minister. At the time, Saied stated the actions were necessary to address political paralysis and corruption.
Following the initial suspension, Saied’s government formally dissolved parliament in March 2022. He has since governed largely by decree. In July 2022, a new constitution championed by the president was approved in a referendum with low voter turnout. The new constitution expanded the powers of the president while diminishing the roles of the parliament and judiciary.
Since these changes were implemented, several opposition figures and critics of the government have been detained. The government has stated these arrests are related to national security cases and are not politically motivated.
Saturday’s protest was organized by a coalition of opposition groups, including political parties and civil society organizations. International news agencies present at the event reported a significant security presence, but the demonstration proceeded without major incident. The Tunisian government has not issued an official statement regarding the protest.
