Thousands of supporters of the Free Destourian Party (PDL) – the opposition – demonstrated Sunday in Tunis to denounce the “grabbing of power” by President Kaïs Saïed and the economic crisis in which the country is plunged.
“Poverty has increased”, “famine is at our doorstep”, chanted the demonstrators who were at least 2000, in the city center, according to journalists from Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Some of the participants, who came at the call of the PDL, the anti-Islamist party of Mme Abir Moussi, brandished chopsticks and signs in English (” Tunisian wake up ”) and in French: “The Tunisian State is on the verge of collapse”.
In recent months, the PDL has risen to the top of voting intentions for possible legislative elections.
“The government is unable to find solutions for Tunisians. If we continue to remain silent, the country is doomed,” Abir Moussi, known for his oratory skills, told the crowd.
She castigated the attitude of Mr. Saïed, democratically elected at the end of 2019, but who has granted himself full powers since July 25. President Saïed has since frozen the activities of Parliament, accusing this body, dominated for ten years by the Islamo-conservative Ennahdha party, his pet peeve, of blocking any decision.
Mme Moussi described Mr. Saïed as a “sovereign [qui] prepared the budget alone and did not discuss it with anyone”. “The power in place is illegitimate and does not engage the Tunisians,” added Mr.me Moussi, calling for immediate parliamentary elections.
“Saïed, the dictator, is locked up in his palace, and the people find neither semolina, nor flour, nor oil, nor sugar”, complained to AFP Youssef Jabali, 32, holding a portrait of Mme Mossy. In recent weeks, Tunisia, already mired in a serious economic and social crisis with very high inflation and unemployment, is facing shortages of basic foodstuffs.
Authorities say it stems from a shopping spree ahead of Ramadan, a month of family reunions and high food consumption, which has been exacerbated by war-related price spikes in Ukraine, a major wheat producer. .
President Saïed has accused some traders of warehousing goods to drive up prices, and this week declared “war on speculators”, threatening them with heavy prison sentences.