Watan–The 14th anniversary of the January 14th Revolution in Tunisia marks the overthrow of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s regime and the beginning of a new political phase for the country. However, the current scene appears more complex and heated, with a rise in popular protests against the economic and political conditions.
As January 14th approaches, the streets of Tunisia are bracing for large-scale demonstrations in the capital and major cities, with wide segments of the population preparing to take to the streets to celebrate the revolution’s anniversary and to protest the deteriorating political and economic realities, amidst accusations against the current regime of suppressing freedoms and silencing dissent.
The country is witnessing widespread public unrest, especially with the increasing number of political prisoners, including activists and journalists, and the postponement of their trials, which has intensified internal tensions. This comes amid a decline in purchasing power and rising prices, further increasing pressure on citizens.
On the other hand, President Kais Saied is attempting to calm the situation through economic measures and reforms. He has taken to the streets to meet citizens and announced new decisions regarding social issues, including integrating teachers and substitute teachers into the public sector. Some view this step as too late, while others see it as an attempt to absorb public anger.
The anticipated protests come in a changing regional context, especially after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, evoking memories of the Arab Spring and its impact on Tunisia and the region. Kais Saied’s opponents argue that the current situation mirrors that of 2011, when Tunisians were angry with the regime, which could lead to a rise in popular movements demanding the fall of the current government.
Despite President Saied’s attempts to control the streets through security measures, the political reality indicates that public anger remains, and the demands of the people continue, raising questions about the future of Tunisia’s political landscape 14 years after the revolution.
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