Thousands of Tunisians took to the streets on Saturday in what was described as the country’s largest protest against President Kais Saied in years. Demonstrators accused his government of undermining democracy, mishandling the economy and restricting civil liberties, marking a significant challenge to his rule.

The demonstration was led by the powerful UGTT labour union and civil society groups, with opposition parties from across the political spectrum joining lawyers, doctors, journalists, unemployed people and other protesters. Marchers gathered along Habib Bourguiba Avenue in the capital, Tunis, a focal point of the 2011 protests that helped trigger the Arab Spring uprisings.

Protesters voiced anger over Tunisia’s worsening economic crisis, deteriorating public services, recurring water and electricity cuts, and shortages of medicines and essential goods. Hundreds of police officers were deployed across the capital as demonstrators chanted, “No fear, power belongs to the people” and “Prisons are full, people are hungry.”

Saied’s opponents have criticised his actions since 2021, when he dissolved parliament, dismissed dozens of judges and began ruling by decree. Rights groups have also accused his government of intensifying a crackdown on journalists, civil society organisations and opposition figures. Saied rejects accusations of authoritarianism and has blamed opponents for fuelling unrest.

Demonstrators demanded the release of critics imprisoned under his government and an end to what they described as attacks on trade union rights. Others carried banners highlighting unemployment and pollution. “The country is collapsing. We suffer from power and water cuts, and one crisis after another,” said protester Yassine Gharseli, who travelled from Sfax, about 250 kilometres south of Tunis, to take part in the march.