Protests held in Tunis over deterioration of economic conditions

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
15 Oct 2022 22:02

Supporters of Tunisia’s leading opposition groups took over the streets leading to Habib Bourguiba Avenue in Tunis to protest President Kais Saied's policies.

Supporters of Tunisia's opposition rally over deteriorating conditions.

Thousands of supporters from leading opposition parties demonstrated in Tunisia's capital, Tunis, on Saturday to protest President Kais Saied's policies and demand his resignation, while blaming him for the deteriorating economic and social conditions in the country.

The two principal opposition parties, namely the National Salvation Front and the Ennahda Movement, roamed the principal streets of the capital city, Tunis, and marched all along Habib Bourguiba Avenue while chanting "Leave, leave," "The people want the president out," and "Down with the coup, down!"

#Tunisia : Thousands protesting in the capital this morning against Kais Saied's one-man rule.#Tunisie #Tunisia #Tunesien #تونس pic.twitter.com/bRCSv1lKVt
— TUN Anti-Coup (@BillJoh04134087) October 15, 2022

The head of the National Salvation Front, Ahmed Najib Chebbi, said in a speech to the protesters, "We are close to victory and events are unfolding at a fast pace, and we have a political will that seeks to unite forces so that things do not spiral out of control."

Chebbi further criticized Saied's approach, saying, "The people have gained nothing but more poverty, unemployment, and overpriced basic foodstuffs from Saied's coup, and since last year, the coup leader has been playing tough against us, issuing decrees, and deciding on the fate of Tunisia alone."

Right now on Avenue Habib Bourguiba in Tunis#Tunisia pic.twitter.com/2RAo9vsOvv
— Shreya Parikh شريا پریکھ (@shreya_parikh) October 15, 2022

Supporters from the Free Constitutional Party likewise held a demonstration in the capital.

In one of the main streets in Tunis, protesters raised empty baskets to symbolize the impoverished purchasing power of Tunisians due to inflation and chanted, "O people, oppressed people, increased poverty, increased hunger" and, "O people, revolution, revolution against your stolen right."

Some of the protesters from yesterday's demonstrations clashed with security forces who happened to be there in big numbers.

According to local sources, the protests coincided with the funeral of a young man who died last month of his injuries while trying to escape from security forces that were chasing him. Protesters blamed the security forces for the death of the young man.

Tunisia has been witnessing a major political crisis since July 25, 2021, when Saied dismissed the Prime Minister and suspended the parliament, which was then chaired by Ennahda's leader Rached Ghannouchi, before dissolving it.

Saied amended the country's constitution and electoral law, and parliamentary elections are scheduled for the end of the year to elect a new parliament with limited powers.

In most of his speeches, the Tunisian President often stresses that his policy is "a correction of the revolutionary path."