Status: 01/14/2023 3:50 p.m
In 2011, the revolution brought democracy to Tunisia. Thousands demonstrated against President Saied to mark the anniversary. 17 months ago, he ousted parliament and replaced the government with ministers he had chosen.
Thousands have demonstrated against President Kais Saied in Tunisia. “The people are demanding the fall of the regime,” chanted the demonstrators on the crowded Habib Bourguiba Avenue in the capital, Tunis. The rally marks the anniversary of the 2011 revolution that brought democracy to the country.
According to reports from the Reuters news agency, the police have massively increased their presence in the city center. The protesters accuse Saied of a coup d’etat. “Saied took control of all authority and attacked democracy. The economy is collapsing. We will not remain silent,” said protester Said Anouar Ali, according to Reuters.
President ousted Parliament
Saied ousted parliament 17 months ago and replaced the government with ministers he had chosen. In addition, he had significantly increased the powers of the President, so that almost all power in the country is in his hands.
Opponents accuse Saied of wanting to turn the last democratic state in North Africa into an autocracy. In the parliamentary elections scheduled by Saied last month, which were also intended to legitimize the reforms he forced through, just under nine percent of those entitled to vote took part.
Since the outbreak of the Arab Spring in 2011, Tunisia has been regarded as a beacon of hope for democratization in the region. On January 14, 2011, autocratic President Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali was ousted, which is why many regard this date as the anniversary of the revolution.