8 months ago
Tunisian President Saied's supporters rally amid political divisions
In Tunisia, supporters of President Kais Saied held a rally in the capital, Tunis, calling the opposition 'traitors'.
They support Saied's efforts to fight corruption and political elites.
Meanwhile, critics say Saied is becoming too powerful and is arresting opposition leaders, journalists, and civil society groups.
A court recently sentenced a prominent opposition figure, Abir Moussi, to 12 years in prison.
The powerful UGTT union has called for a nationwide strike next month.
Saied was elected in 2019 with strong support, but his actions have worried both domestic opponents and international partners, who say Tunisia is moving away from democratic governance.
Supporters of Tunisian President Kais Saied rallied in central Tunis, calling the opposition 'traitors' and expressing support for Saied's leadership.
Critics accuse Saied of an authoritarian turn, citing arrests of opposition leaders, civil society groups, and journalists since he took on extraordinary powers in 2021.
A Tunisian court sentenced prominent opposition figure Abir Moussi to 12 years in prison, which critics say is part of Saied's consolidation of power.
The powerful UGTT union has called for a nationwide strike next month, highlighting the deepening economic crisis and political tensions.
Saied's consolidation of power has alarmed both domestic opponents and international partners, who warn Tunisia is retreating from democratic governance.
- Who
- Supporters of Tunisian President Kais Saied and opposition groups
- What
- Rallies and protests highlighting political divisions in Tunisia
- Where
- Central Tunis, Tunisia
- When
- Wednesday, December 17, 2023
- Why
- Deepening economic crisis and political tensions
Key facts
- President
- Kais Saied
- Rally Location
- Central Tunis
- Opposition Leader Sentenced
- Abir Moussi
- Sentence Duration
- 12 years
- UGTT Action
- Nationwide strike next month
Quotes
Safouan Kbibieh
Local environmental activist
“The chemical plant is a fully fledged crime… We refuse to pass on an environmental disaster to our children, and we are determined to stick to our demand.”
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