Thousands of Tunisians took to the streets on Saturday, heeding the call of the country’s main trade union confederation to protest deteriorating living standards. The demonstration unfolded outside the Prime Minister’s office in Tunis, marking a surge in public discontent with the struggling economy.
Noureddine Taboubi, head of the confederation, addressed the crowd, highlighting the worsening economic and social situation. He blamed the government’s handling of foreign debt in 2023, which he claimed prioritized debt servicing “to the detriment of the people,” leading to shortages of essential goods.
Taboubi further criticized the implementation of austerity measures demanded by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of a loan agreement. He argued that these “diktats” were unfairly burdening ordinary Tunisians amidst a stagnant economy.
Tunisia’s economic woes are undeniable. According to the National Institute of Statistics, the country’s growth remained sluggish at 0.4% in 2023, while unemployment climbed to 16.4%, compared to 15.2% at the end of 2022.
These frustrations come amidst a broader political crisis. President Kais Saied, who has consolidated power since a controversial power grab in July 2021, unilaterally passed a new constitution last year that significantly strengthened his office and weakened parliament.
Despite securing a $2 billion loan facility from the IMF in October 2022, the release of loan tranches has stalled due to President Saied’s resistance to the IMF’s reform demands. This standoff leaves Tunisia in a precarious position, as the country desperately needs the IMF funds to navigate the deepening economic crisis.
