Five years after Saied's power grab, old grievances resurface in Tunisia

Five years have passed since Tunisian President Kais Saied concentrated broad powers in his own hands, reshaping the country's political order. Looking back over this period, it becomes clear that many of the problems that fueled public discontent before that shift have not disappeared — instead, they are resurfacing.

Economic hardship remains

One of the central issues is the economy. The difficulties that caused bitterness among Tunisians even before the change in power have still not been resolved. Economic grievances that were once among the main drivers of public frustration continue to affect everyday life in the country.

Shrinking space for criticism

At the same time, there is a clear trend: the space in which citizens and political opponents can openly voice disagreement with the government has narrowed. This means that open discussion about the country's direction and its problems has become harder than before.

A five-year milestone

This anniversary serves as a reminder that, despite the passage of time, the underlying issues — both economic hardship and the ability to voice political criticism — remain unresolved in Tunisia. The situation suggests that the public discontent which once triggered major political change is still present, while the ability to express it openly has become more limited.