Thousands rally in Tunis in largest protest in years against President Saied

Thousands marched in Tunis on Saturday in the largest protest in years against President Kais Saied over living conditions and restrictions on freedoms.

• The march, led by the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) with opposition parties and civil society groups, drew more than 3,000 people in central Tunis.
• UGTT leader Salah Eddine Salmi said "silence will no longer be acceptable" and criticized power concentrated in the presidency.
• Protesters revived the 2011 uprising slogan "the people want the fall of the regime" and demanded the release of detained government critics.
• Saied suspended parliament and dismissed the government in 2021, later dissolving parliament and expanding presidential powers in 2022.
• Protesters also demanded judicial independence and respect for rights and freedoms, and called for an end to industrial pollution in Gabes.