Tunisian President Kais Saied was inaugurated for a second term on Monday, amid controversy surrounding his first term and widespread concerns over the state of democracy in Tunisia. Saied, who has ruled with increasing authoritarian tendencies, faces a polarized nation grappling with deep political and economic instability. His victory, though decisive with more than 90% of the vote, was marred by a notably low voter turnout of just 28.8%.
In his inaugural address before the newly elected parliament, Saied called for a “cultural revolution” aimed at combating terrorism, reducing unemployment, and rooting out corruption. “The aim is to build a country where everyone can live in dignity,” he declared, signaling a continuation of his populist rhetoric that first brought him to power in 2019. Back then, Saied captured the imagination of a frustrated electorate by promising to dismantle the entrenched political elites and restore power to the people.
However, his first term took a dramatic turn in 2021 when he suspended parliament, dissolved key democratic institutions, and rewrote Tunisia’s constitution. The move significantly expanded presidential powers while curtailing the legislative branch, a transformation Saied justified as necessary to restore order in a country plagued by dysfunction and corruption. Yet, this consolidation of power has been accompanied by a crackdown on dissent, raising alarm among human rights groups and international observers.
Dozens of opposition figures, activists, and journalists have been jailed under his administration, sparking widespread concerns about the erosion of judicial independence and free speech in Tunisia. Many analysts argue that while Saied initially positioned himself as a reformer, his heavy-handed governance has introduced new forms of authoritarianism that have deepened Tunisia’s political crisis.
Bassam Khawaja, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, described the recent election process as highly restrictive. He noted that Tunisian authorities “systematically placed obstacle after obstacle in the way of a fair election,” pointing to mass arrests of opposition candidates and last-minute changes to electoral laws that hampered oversight and appeal mechanisms.
One of the most prominent opposition candidates, Ayachi Zammel, remains imprisoned, and his sentence was recently extended to over 30 years, according to his lawyer. Zammel’s imprisonment, along with the disqualification of other potential contenders, led to widespread accusations of a rigged electoral process. The European Union has criticized what it describes as a “continued limitation of democratic space in Tunisia,” pointing to the exclusion of key opposition figures from the presidential race despite a court ruling that had initially favored their participation.
Saied’s handling of the opposition and the election process has drawn condemnation from both domestic and international quarters, with many questioning the legitimacy of his overwhelming electoral victory. Despite Saied’s efforts to position himself as a bulwark against corruption, reports indicate that under his rule, new forms of corruption have emerged, further complicating Tunisia’s already precarious economic situation.
Adding to the country’s woes, protests earlier this year erupted across Tunisia in response to the deteriorating economic conditions and increasing authoritarianism. While Saied has retained a significant base of support, particularly among those who view his actions as necessary to restore order, his critics argue that Tunisia is drifting further from the democratic ideals that emerged after the 2011 Arab Spring.
As Saied begins his second term, the challenges facing Tunisia are formidable. The country’s economy remains fragile, unemployment is high, and public trust in political institutions continues to erode. Saied’s call for a “cultural revolution” may resonate with his supporters, but for many Tunisians, the president’s increasingly authoritarian approach represents a dangerous departure from the democratic aspirations that once defined the country’s post-revolutionary era.
Tunisia’s future remains uncertain, and whether Saied can successfully navigate the mounting domestic and international pressures will be a key test of his leadership in the years ahead.
