Status: 01/14/2023 3:50 pm
In 2011, the revolution brought democracy to Tunisia. Thousands demonstrated against President Saied to mark the anniversary. 17 months ago, he overthrew parliament and replaced the government with ministers of his choosing.
Thousands demonstrated against President Kais Saied in Tunisia. “The people are demanding the fall of the regime,” protesters chanted on the crowded Habib Bourguiba Avenue in the capital, Tunis. The demonstration marks the anniversary of the 2011 revolution that brought democracy to the country.
According to reports by the Portal news agency, the police massively increased their presence in the city center. Protesters accuse Saied of coup d’état. “Saied has taken control of all authority and attacked democracy. The economy is collapsing. We will not remain silent,” protester Said Anouar Ali was quoted as saying by Portal.
President dismisses Parliament
Saied deposed 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.
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 President Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali was overthrown, which is why many consider this date to be the anniversary of the revolution.