Protests erupt in Tunisia calling for the release of political prisoners and a clear schedule for presidential elections

On Monday, lawyers in Tunis began a one-day strike to protest the arrest of Sonia Dahmani, a prominent lawyer and critic of Tunisia’s president who was apprehended on Saturday after police stormed the Deanship of Lawyers. Her arrest came shortly after she made disparaging comments about life in Tunisia. 

On Sunday, hundreds of protesters convened in the nation’s capital demanding the liberation of incarcerated journalists, activists, and opposition members as well as the establishment of a transparent timetable for presidential elections. 

"Today there is no climate for fair elections and there is no date... the authorities are repressing politicians, lawyers and journalists," Imed Khemiri, a senior official in the Ennahda party, a member of the Salvation Front, which organized the protest told Reuters.

Saied’s first 5-year-term is soon coming to an end. According to Reuters, the Election Commission previously said a vote, expected in November, would occur on time. But no specific date has yet been set. 

Saied was democratically elected in 2019. But in 2022 he dissolved parliament and ruled by decree. His opponents accused him of orchestrating a coup after he assumed authority over the judiciary. 

Saied says his actions are legal and driven by the need to rid his country of corruption.

Tunisians have increasingly taken to the streets to protest Tmost prominent opposition leaders are currently either in jail or living abroad.