President Kais Saied ran as an independent candidate with broad political support and popular appeal to win the presidential election in 2019. With economic conditions not improving, protests were dealt with in a heavy-handed manner, and then in July 2021 Saied suspended parliament and dismissed the Prime Minister. A year later a new constitution was adopted through a referendum (30 percent turnout) and elections are scheduled for December 2022. Already, most political parties are calling for a boycott amidst the fear that Tunisia is returning to pre-Arab Spring rule.
Source of Influence: Political
Status: Featured in current year