01/14/2023 12:58 (act. 01/14/2023 12:58)
Demonstration for the anniversary of the 2011 revolution ©APA/AFP
Thousands of Tunisians protested against President Kais Saied in Tunis. On Saturday, protesters on the busy Avenida Habib Bourguiba chanted “The people are demanding the fall of the regime”. The demonstration marks the anniversary of the 2011 revolution that brought democracy to the country. According to Portal reporters, the police massively increased their presence in the city centre.
Protesters accuse Saied of coup d’état. He overthrew Parliament 17 months ago and replaced the government with ministers he had chosen. In addition, he significantly increased the powers of the president, so that almost all the power in the country is in his hands. Opponents accuse Saied of wanting to turn North Africa’s last democratic state into an autocracy. In parliamentary elections scheduled by Saied last month, which were also aimed at legitimizing the reforms he imposed, just under nine percent of voters participated.
However, the opposition has still not managed to overcome its ideological and personal divisions. Many parties reject a leadership role for the largest party, the Islamist Ennahda. The powerful UGTT seeks a national dialogue to resolve the crisis, but does not want to invite any party that accuses Saied of a coup d’état.
Since the outbreak of the Arab Spring in 2011, Tunisia has been considered a beacon of hope for democratization in the region. On January 14, 2011, the autocratic ruler President Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali was overthrown, which is why many consider this date as the anniversary of the revolution.