Hundreds protest in Tunisia, demanding change amid heatwave and power cuts

Hundreds of Tunisians took to the streets of the capital on Saturday, denouncing the nation's current situation and calling for the release of political prisoners and the "overthrow of the system" led by President Kais Saied. The protests mark five years since Saied assumed full powers in what opposition groups and civil society organizations have termed an "ultrapresidentialist power grab."

Chanting slogans like "Out!" and "We have no more patience!" and "Freedom!" demonstrators expressed their rejection of the country's direction and President Saied's policies. A significant focus of the protest was the severe impact of an unprecedented heatwave, with temperatures reaching up to 47 degrees Celsius (117 Fahrenheit) in the capital and 49 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit) inland. These extreme conditions have been exacerbated by persistent water and electricity cuts since early July, leading protesters to chant, "Neither water nor light, prison and oppression!"

The date, July 25, is symbolic as Tunisia's Republic Day. However, for President Saied, it also marks a turning point from 2021 when he initiated an institutional transformation that critics argue has devolved into "authoritarian drift." International organizations have reported an intensification of "repression" against dissent and a crackdown on freedom of expression. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has urged the UN to intervene, citing systematic attacks on press freedom and the increasing prosecution of journalists in Tunisia.