Thousands of Tunisians demonstrated against President Kais Saied on Sunday, demanding a restoration to regular democratic order and opposing his replacement of the independent electoral commission with one he nominated himself.
Protesters gathered in central Tunis a week after a smaller gathering in support of the president screamed “The people want democracy” and “Saied has brought the country to hunger.”
“It has become evident that the street favors a return to the democratic road,” said Samira Chaouachi, the dissolved parliament’s deputy leader, who, like Saied’s other opponents, accuses him of a coup.
Since gaining executive authority last summer, Saied has consolidated his one-man rule by dissolving parliament, instituting rule by decree, and declaring that a referendum will be held to replace the democratic constitution.
Saied rejects a coup, claiming that his action was lawful and essential to free Tunisia from years of political gridlock and economic stagnation at the hands of a corrupt, self-serving elite who had gained control of the government.
Meanwhile, Tunisia’s economy and public finances are in disarray, and the government is negotiating a bailout plan with the International Monetary Fund in the midst of widespread poverty and misery.
Saied’s moves have thrust Tunisia into its biggest political crisis since the 2011 revolution that introduced democracy and triggered the ‘Arab Spring’, threatening the rights and freedoms won 11 years ago.
He has replaced a judicial council that guaranteed judges’ independence as well as the independent electoral commission, casting doubt on the integrity of both the legal process and elections.
“Our peaceful resistance will continue in the street until we restore our freedom and democracy,” said one of the protesters, Tijani Tizaoui, a private sector employee, who said he had been imprisoned before the revolution for protesting.
The 2014 constitution was the result of months of intense negotiation among a broad array of political parties and civil society bodies including the powerful UGTT labor union, which has more than a million members.
Saied has rejected calls for similar inclusive dialogue, saying those who opposed his moves should be barred from a discussion on Tunisia’s future as he prepares for a referendum on his new constitution.
“Tunisians refuse the unilateral change of the electoral system … Tunisians are here to reject Saied’s referendum,” said Nejib Chebbi, a veteran politician at the protest.
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