Mass Rally in Tunis Demands Political Freedoms and Economic Relief Under Saied

Tunisia’s labour unions and opposition groups unite in a massive protest against worsening living conditions and tightening restrictions on political freedoms.

Published On 17 Oct 202617 Oct 2026

Thousands of Tunisians took to the streets of Tunis to protest President Kais Saied’s deteriorating economic conditions and tightening grip on political freedoms.

The demonstration, held in Tunis on Saturday, was spearheaded by the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), a powerful trade‑union federation, together with opposition parties and civil‑society groups.

The rally marked the largest anti‑Saied protest in years, uniting political opponents who have historically been divided but are now collaborating to challenge his administration.

The AFP news agency estimated that over 3,000 participants took part in the march, although independent verification of the exact numbers was not available.

Demonstrators gathered along Habib Bourguiba Avenue in central Tunis, where hundreds of police officers were deployed and several adjacent roads were sealed off.

The crowd comprised lawyers, doctors, journalists, the unemployed, activists and members of parties across the political spectrum. They called for the release of detained government critics and an end to restrictions on trade‑union rights.

Slogans on placards such as “No democracy without freedoms” and “No dignity with poverty” encapsulated the demonstrators’ political and economic grievances.

Protesters revived a slogan calling for the government’s removal, echoing the chants of Tunisia’s 2011 uprising.

In his Saturday address, UGTT leader Salah Eddine Salmi denounced the concentration of political power in the presidency, stating that “silence will no longer be acceptable.”

Political demands were coupled with growing frustration over rising costs of basic goods and shrinking purchasing power.

Prolonged difficulties

Tunisia continues to grapple with entrenched economic challenges, including deteriorating public services, frequent water and electricity outages, and shortages of medicines and other essential supplies.

Demonstrator Yassine Gharseli, who travelled from Sfax—some 250 km south of Tunis—said repeated disruptions to basic services had intensified his frustration with the authorities.

“I came from Sfax to stand up for my freedom,” he told Reuters at the demonstration, vowing to keep speaking out.

Saturday’s march followed a series of earlier demonstrations over comparable grievances.

Last month, fuel‑transport workers staged a two‑day strike over wages and working conditions, led by a union federation linked to the UGTT.

These demands echo the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and spurred protests across the Arab world.

Tunisia later held competitive elections and broadened political freedoms, yet unemployment and under‑performing public services continue to fuel public anger.

President Kais Saied entered office pledging an alternative to the prior political system; however, in 2021 he suspended parliament and dismissed the government, citing corruption and political gridlock.

He later dissolved parliament, and a new constitution enacted in 2022 expanded presidential powers.

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