Tunisians protest on fifth anniversary of emergency rule, call for President Saied to step down

Thousands of Tunisians gathered in the capital’s main square on Tuesday, demanding the “fall of the regime” and calling for the restoration of democratic institutions. The protest, which drew an estimated 10,000 participants, came five years after President Kais Saied dissolved parliament and imposed a state of emergency in 2019, a move that critics say has consolidated his power and eroded civil liberties.

The demonstrators, many of whom are students, civil‑society activists, and opposition politicians, carried placards calling for free elections, the release of political prisoners, and an end to the president’s emergency decrees. Saied’s administration has repeatedly dismissed the protests as “unlawful” and warned that any attempt to overthrow the government would be met with force. International observers have noted the growing polarization in Tunisian politics, with the opposition citing the suspension of parliamentary oversight as a key factor in the country’s democratic backsliding.

In the days ahead, authorities have pledged to maintain public order while allowing the protests to continue, though security forces have been deployed to prevent clashes. The rally underscores a broader regional trend of citizens demanding greater accountability from leaders who have extended their rule beyond constitutional limits. As the country approaches the next scheduled election, the intensity of public dissent may shape Tunisia’s political trajectory in the coming months.