Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets in Tunisia's capital, Tunis, on Thursday, calling for the ouster of President Kais Saied and the restoration of democracy.
Protesters declared their opposition to "rule by one person" and "a slide into dictatorship," while demanding the release of detained opposition figures, activists, and journalists.
Thursday's protest followed a similar demonstration on July 25, which coincided with the anniversary of President Saied's dismissal of the government and suspension of parliament in 2021. He began ruling by decree later that year and dissolved parliament in 2022.
According to Reuters, one protester at Thursday's march, activist Wissem Sghaier, said the country is "experiencing complete collapse."
Tunisians are facing mounting economic pressure and rising living costs, with deteriorating public services and shortages of some essential goods and medicines.
According to the World Bank, Tunisia's inflation rate now stands at 5.2%. Investment in the country has fallen sharply, and Saied's government has implemented a series of cost-cutting measures, including halting public sector hiring and reducing imports.
Protests have erupted across various regions in recent weeks over water and electricity cuts and environmental issues, indicating that public anger is spreading beyond political disagreements with Saied to the growing hardships of daily life. Tunisia is also among the North African countries affected by major wildfires this summer.
Meanwhile, human rights groups say Saied has led a widespread crackdown targeting opposition leaders, independent civil society organizations, journalists, and activists.
Who is Tunisian President Kais Saied?
Saied, 68, is an independent politician and former constitutional law professor, elected in 2019 with what he once described as a victory "like a revolution." His campaign refused donations and instead relied on numerous Tunisian volunteers, with a message strongly focused on fighting corruption.
Saied was one of the legal advisors who helped draft Tunisia's 2014 democratic constitution, although he later voiced early objections to elements of the text.
Since taking power, Saied has drawn the ire of international human rights groups for a series of measures deemed anti-democratic, including judicial reforms that grant him unprecedented control over Tunisia's courts through a new supervisory body he heads, and mass trials of political opponents.
