Tunisians Protest Kais Saied on Fifth Anniversary of Power Grab

Thousands of Tunisians gathered in Tunis on July 25, 2026, to demand the resignation of President Kais Saied. The demonstrations, organized by the Nafas opposition initiative, marked the fifth anniversary of Saied's 2021 declaration of a national emergency, during which he suspended parliament and began ruling by decree.

Protesters marched from Republic Square down Habib Bourguiba Avenue, denouncing economic mismanagement and the imprisonment of political dissidents. Opponents argue that Saied has transitioned Tunisia from a constitutional democracy to an autocracy by replacing the national constitution and weaponizing the judiciary. Saied has defended his actions, stating his measures aim to tackle corruption and prevent chaos.

The country's economic situation has deteriorated, with debt-to-GDP ratios rising from 73% to over 81%. Saied has rejected International Monetary Fund subsidy reforms, characterizing them as foreign diktats. In response to the democratic backsliding, the United States government cut military assistance by 50% and deployed diplomatic missions to encourage a return to representative democracy.