The Tunisia parliament, at last, heeds to the people’s cry amid days of protests. The Angry citizens matched to the parliament offices threatening to storm in and cause havoc. Police brutality and social inequality are the driving forces of the protests. Moreover, this month, Tunisia celebrates the anniversary of the 2011 revolution, which introduced the country to democracy. The move to reshuffle the parliament has resulted in a rift between the President and the prime minister. This is after the president speculates the 11 named new ministers proposed by Hichem Mechichi, the Prime minister. The president advocated for women’s representation in Tunisia Parliament, which is absent in the 11 new ministers. Moreover, the President, Kais Saied, affirms that he will not swear in any minister with corruption issues.
Protests in Tunisia amid parliament debate
The protests are against police brutality and the diminishing economy of the country. According to most Tunisians, the government is yet to deliver its promises to its people. Thousands of youths are languishing in the streets due to a lack of jobs. The protesters matched in the streets chanting, “The people want the fall of the regime!”. Additionally, the people have had enough surging police brutality and took it to the streets to denounce their acts.
Protesters in other cities and join hard in the movement as the human rights group fully back up the people. In fact, the protests took a different turn following g the death of a young man. Immediately Haykel Rachdi`s death hit people`s ears, a group of youths made attempts to raid and torch the police station. Rachdi succumbed to death after being hit by a tear gas canister from the police.
During the same parliamentary debate to reshuffle the government, the angry protestors were present outside the buildings. Full of anger and trying to storm the parliamentary sitting. Later on, some opposition lawmakers, in solidarity with the people, joined in condemning the government on the country’s economic situation. From the protestor’s viewpoint, Mechichi is entirely responsible for the people’s state of poverty in the country. He has not provided any jobs to the youth; there are no development nor investment efforts in the country with his leadership.
Dwindling Economic state of Tunisia
2019 ushered a political deadlock in the country due to the elections. The political instability brought the downfall of Tunisia`s economy, where even foreign lenders have raised concerns to the country. Additionally, the labor unions are in demand of new reforms to stabilize the country’s economic state.
Shortly after, before the country could take any steps to save the economy, the coronavirus novel downed. The pandemic alone resulted in an 8% decline in the country`s economy with a fiscal deposit of more than 12 percent of the gross domestic product. Public debt as well increased to more than 90% of the GDP.
Tunisia`s democratic state
The freedom for expression in Tunisia can allow its people to protest without causing much bloodshed. It serves as one of the most Democratic countries in the region. Moreover, the country holds free elections and offers more freedom of speech. However, it seems that the country`s leadership is lagging in delivering its people’s demands. Most of its citizens languish in poverty due to a lack of proper governance.
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