More than 3,000 people demonstrated in Tunis on Saturday against soaring living costs and a rollback of rights and freedoms.
“No democracy without freedoms,” and “No dignity with poverty,” read placards at the march, which was organised by the Tunisian General Labour Union and opposition parties.
Tunisia emerged as the only democracy of the Arab Spring demonstrations of 2011, but since President Kais Saied staged a sweeping power grab in 2021, rights groups have criticised a major erosion of freedoms.
Many Tunisians are also unhappy at a fall in their purchasing power, against a backdrop of rising prices and persistent economic problems.
The march through the city centre was watched by a heavy police presence. Several roads were closed to cars and pedestrians.
“We demand respect for fundamental freedoms and above all the release of political prisoners,” opposition figure Sihem Bensedrine told AFP.
Karim Majeri, a 32-year-old civil servant, said he felt “stifled by injustice, oppression and the high cost of living”.
“We have the right to live with dignity. The current policies are failing to reassure young people, corruption blocks everything,” added protester Mayssa Batikh, a 21-year-old dental student.
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