- Title: Thousands protest against Tunisia leader with government awaited
- Date: 10th October 2021
- Summary: TUNIS, TUNISIA (OCTOBER 10, 2021) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS AND SECURITY FORCES DURING DEMONSTRATION PROTESTERS CHANTING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) TUNISIAN CITIZEN, FATMA, SAYING: "Elections are how people express themselves, and the elections gave way to the formation of a parliament, and this parliament is a sample of the people. We do not want just one opinion or one position." PROTESTERS CHANTING VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS CHANTING IN FRONT OF SECURITY FORCES SIGN READING (Arabic): "Wake up people, your destiny is in your hands" (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SPOKESPERSON OF THE TUNISIAN INTERIOR MINISTRY, KHALED HOUINI, SAYING: "We are a public security facility that aims to provide all services within the framework of neutrality and at the same distance from all parties, we confirm that the same security plan, the same capabilities and the same commitments we made this Sunday, they are the same that we did on the previous Sunday towards all parties." SIGN READING (Arabic): "Down with the coup" VARIOUS OF DEMONSTRATION IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 24th October 2021 14:47
- Keywords: Constitution Decree Kais Saied Presidential Powers Protests Tunisia
- Location: TUNIS, TUNISIA
- City: TUNIS, TUNISIA
- Country: Tunisia
- Topics: Africa,Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest
- Reuters ID: LVA001EYKSV2F
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Thousands of Tunisians protested against President Kais Saied's seizure of almost total power in the capital on Sunday (October 10) as the growing numbers taking to the street in recent weeks has raised the risk of the political crisis unleashing unrest.
A week after thousands demonstrated in support of Saied, the growing numbers raise the possibility of Tunisia's political divisions spiraling into street confrontations between rival camps.
A very heavy police presence stopped any march down Habib Bourguiba Avenue in central Tunis, but despite some protesters throwing plastic bottles there were no clashes.
Interior Ministry spokesman Khaled Hayouni said the police would deal with protesters from both sides in the same way.
"We are a public security facility that aims to provide all services within the framework of neutrality and at the same distance from all parties," he said.
Saied dismissed the prime minister, suspended parliament and assumed executive authority in July in moves his foes call a coup. Last month he brushed aside much of the constitution, which he said he would appoint a committee to amend, adding that he could rule by decree.
His intervention appeared popular after years of economic stagnation and political paralysis, but it has cast into doubt the democratic gains made by Tunisians during a 2011 revolution that triggered the Arab Spring uprisings.
Saied has appointed Najla Bouden Romdhane as prime minister, but she has not yet named a government, an important precursor to any efforts to resolve Tunisia's looming crisis in public finances, though Saied said on Saturday (October 9) she would do so soon.
Saied said he would initiate a dialog with Tunisians over the future during a meeting on Saturday with interim interior minister Ridha Gharsalaoui.
Any dialogue that does not include major political parties or other established elements of civil society, such as the powerful labor union, would likely prompt more open opposition to his moves.
Western donors, needed to avert a collapse in Tunisia's public finances, have called for an inclusive process to end the crisis period, along with a clear timeline.
With the political manoeuvering over Tunisia's future moving very slowly, Saied has pointed to the street mobilization to support his position.
Last week more than 8,000 demonstrators rallied in Tunis in support of Saied, Reuters journalists and the state news agency said. The next day, Saied said 1.8 million people had come out to back him.
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