Thousands of Tunisians protest against Saied, demand his departure

Thousands of Tunisians demonstrated in the capital Tunis on Saturday evening, demanding the departure of President Kais Saied, coinciding with the fifth anniversary of the July 25, 2021 measures and the 69th anniversary of the proclamation of the republic. Protesters raised slogans calling for work, freedom, and national dignity, and speakers from the Ennahda movement, the Republican Party, and activists stated that economic and social conditions have deteriorated over the past seven years.

The Tunisian capital witnessed a massive protest march on Saturday evening, July 25, 2026, with thousands of Tunisians, activists, and politicians participating, rejecting the political, economic, and social conditions in the country and demanding urgent reforms. The protests coincided with the fifth anniversary of the July 25, 2021 measures taken by President Kais Saied and the 69th anniversary of the proclamation of the republic. Protesters raised slogans including: "Work, freedom, national dignity," "No fear, no terror, the street belongs to the people," and "The people want the fall of the regime," along with signs criticizing the deterioration of living conditions and the decline of rights and freedoms. Speakers considered that the past seven years have seen an exacerbation of economic and social crises. Ennahda movement spokesman Imad al-Khamiri said that the country has witnessed a "decline in various fields" since the July 25 measures, considering that the authorities "undermined the gains of the revolution and expanded the circle of arrests." He added that concentrating power in the presidency did not result in achievements but was accompanied by a decline in basic services. For his part, Republican Party spokesman Wissam al-Saghir said the protests come on a symbolic occasion, noting that the promises accompanying the July 25 measures "have not been fulfilled." Activist Najia al-Ajimi affirmed that Tunisians "are tired of promises and speeches," pointing to the continued detention of activists and human rights defenders. These protests come amid increasing economic and social challenges and political debate over the path of governance and reforms.