Hundreds of activists and opponents of Tunisian President Kais Saied marched through the streets of Tunis on Thursday, demanding his resignation and a return to democratic governance in the latest demonstration against his administration amid mounting political and economic grievances.
Protesters chanted slogans rejecting what they described as “one-man rule” and warned of a “slide towards dictatorship,” according to video footage from the scene. Demonstrators also called for the release of political detainees held under Saied’s government.
The protest comes as Tunisia faces deepening economic hardship, including high inflation, unemployment, and a stalled bailout program with the International Monetary Fund. Critics argue that Saied’s consolidation of power since his 2021 power grab — which saw him suspend parliament, dismiss the prime minister, and rule by decree before pushing through a new constitution in 2022 — has exacerbated the country’s crises by deterring foreign investment and complicating international financial negotiations.
Saied, who was re-elected in October 2024 with 90.7% of the vote in an election boycotted by major opposition parties and marked by low turnout, has repeatedly dismissed his critics as “traitors” and “conspirators” backed by foreign powers. His supporters credit him with fighting corruption and dismantling a paralyzed political system.
Analysis: The demonstration reflects persistent opposition to Saied’s centralized governance model, but the relatively modest turnout — hundreds rather than thousands — suggests the protest movement struggles to mobilize broad-based support amid protest fatigue, fear of repression, and economic survival concerns. The opposition remains fragmented across multiple parties and civil society groups, limiting its ability to mount a sustained challenge. Meanwhile, Tunisia’s economic trajectory remains the critical variable: without an IMF agreement or alternative financing, living standards will continue to deteriorate, potentially creating conditions for larger unrest regardless of opposition organization.
What Happened
The demonstration in Tunis drew several hundred participants who gathered near the central Habib Bourguiba Avenue before marching toward the presidential palace. Video footage circulating on social media shows protesters carrying banners with messages such as “Down with dictatorship” and “Freedom for all political prisoners.” The police presence remained relatively restrained, with no reports of immediate clashes or arrests during the demonstration.
The protest was organized by a coalition of opposition parties, trade unions, and civil society organizations that have coordinated sporadic demonstrations since Saied’s controversial 2021 constitutional referendum. Organizers emphasized that Thursday’s march was part of a broader campaign calling for the restoration of parliamentary democracy and the release of individuals detained on charges related to their opposition activities.
According to witnesses at the scene, the demonstration followed the traditional route past key government buildings, including the Ministry of Interior and the Courtyard of the Husseini Mosque, a historic site associated with Tunisia’s independence movement. The protesters’ route concluded at the perimeter of the presidential palace, where they delivered written demands to representatives of the presidency before dispersing peacefully.
Why It Matters
The protest represents one of the most significant challenges to Saied’s authority since his controversial 2024 re-election, occurring at a time when Tunisia’s economic crisis has deepened rather than abated. The president’s approval ratings have remained high among his core supporters, but the opposition’s ability to mobilize street protests demonstrates that his legitimacy remains contested among significant portions of the population.
Economically, Tunisia continues to grapple with some of the highest inflation rates in the region, with consumer prices rising at double-digit rates throughout 2025. The unemployment rate among youth aged 15-24 has exceeded 40%, while the overall unemployment figure hovers around 18%. The country’s foreign exchange reserves have fallen to critically low levels, limiting its ability to service external debt and import essential goods.
The IMF bailout program, which has been in negotiation since 2023, remains stalled due to disagreements over the scope of economic reforms and the government’s capacity to implement austerity measures. Without external financial support, Tunisia risks a debt default that could trigger a broader financial crisis and potentially prompt a political crisis that could destabilize Saied’s increasingly centralized rule.
Background and Context
Kais Saied’s consolidation of power began in July 2021 when he invoked Article 80 of Tunisia’s constitution to suspend parliamentary proceedings, dismiss the government of Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, and rule by decree. The move was justified by Saied as necessary to address corruption and political paralysis that had characterized the post-2011 period following the country’s revolution that overthrew the Ben Ali regime.
In 2022, Saied pushed through a new constitution via referendum that significantly expanded presidential powers while weakening institutional checks and balances. The new charter eliminated the prime minister’s position, concentrated legislative authority in the president, and established a constitutionally mandated “presidential majority” that would dominate parliamentary proceedings.
The 2024 presidential election saw Saied win re-90.7% of the vote, a result that opposition parties denounced as illegitimate due to the boycott by major parties including the Democratic Left Organization, the Democratic Forum for Labour, and the Republican Reform Party. Turnout was officially reported at 43.2%, though opposition observers suggested the actual figure was lower given the absence of their candidates from the ballot.
Saied’s government has detained numerous opposition figures on charges ranging from “undermining national security” to “spreading false information.” High-profile detainees have included members of the dissolved Party of Justice and Development, former ministers, and journalists who covered protests critically. The government has defended these arrests as necessary to maintain public order and prevent foreign interference in domestic affairs.
Economically, Tunisia’s crisis predates Saied’s rise to power but has intensified under his administration. The country has faced persistent balance of payments problems, declining tourism revenues, and rising public debt. The 2023 debt restructuring negotiations with private creditors stalled, leaving the government dependent on domestic borrowing and limited access to international capital markets.
What to Watch Next
The next several months will be critical for Tunisia’s political trajectory, with several developments likely to influence the balance between Saied’s authority and opposition resistance. Key indicators to monitor include:
IMF Negotiations: The outcome of ongoing discussions between Tunisian officials and IMF representatives in Washington will determine whether the country receives the financial support needed to avoid default. The IMF has indicated willingness to provide a loan package, but reforms required as conditions include measures that Saied’s government has resisted implementing.
Local Elections: Municipal and regional elections scheduled for early 2026 will test whether opposition parties can rebuild political coalitions and demonstrate governance capabilities at the local level. These contests may also reveal whether Saied’s centralized approach can maintain popular support as economic conditions persistently deteriorate.
Opposition Coordination: The ability of opposition groups to maintain unified messaging and coordinate future demonstrations will determine their capacity to sustain pressure on the presidency. Fragmentation among opposition parties has historically limited their effectiveness, though shared economic grievances may provide common ground.
International Pressure: Statements from European Union partners, Gulf states, and regional organizations may influence Saied’s calculations regarding political concessions. The EU has been particularly active in offering technical assistance and financial support contingent on democratic governance improvements.
Conclusion
Thursday’s demonstration in Tunis reflects enduring opposition to President Kais Saied’s centralized governance model, but the modest turnout suggests significant challenges facing the protest movement in building sustained momentum. The economic crisis that underlies much of the public’s discontent shows no immediate signs of abating, creating conditions that could either fuel larger unrest or further consolidate support for Saied’s anti-corruption narrative.
The president’s legitimacy remains contested despite his landslide re-election victory, and his government’s approach to dissent continues to draw criticism from both domestic opponents and international observers. Whether Tunisia’s political crisis deepens or resolves depends largely on the government’s ability to address economic hardship while managing the competing demands of maintaining control and securing international financial support.
As Tunisia navigates this precarious balance, the demonstrations serve as a barometer of public sentiment that extends beyond immediate opposition to questions about the country’s democratic future and economic viability. The coming months will test whether Saied’s consolidation of power can withstand sustained pressure from both economic realities and organized political opposition.
Sources: France24 News, https://www.france24.com/en/video/20260821-tunisia-opposition-protests-against-president-amid-economic-discontent
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Story synopsis gathered from: France24 News — source
