Tunisia is experiencing widespread protests triggered by rolling power outages amid an intense heatwave that has seen temperatures exceed 45 degrees Celsius. The blackouts, implemented by the state electricity company to manage the demand on its aging infrastructure, have been accompanied in some areas by water shortages, escalating public frustration and sparking demonstrations across the country.
The unrest has taken on a political dimension, with many protesters expressing discontent toward President Kais Saied. Last week, on the anniversary of Saied’s 2021 move to seize extensive executive powers and suspend the parliament, thousands gathered in central Tunis demanding his resignation and chanting slogans critical of his administration’s handling of public services and the economy.
Saied came to power in 2019 promising to combat corruption and inefficiency, receiving broad public support for dismantling the democratic institutions established after the 2011 revolution that ended the rule of longtime autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. However, analysts and observers say expectations for reform have largely gone unmet, with many Tunisians now disillusioned by the persistence of economic and social challenges under Saied’s rule.
The current rolling power cuts are unprecedented in recent Tunisian history, according to Sahar Mechmeh of the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy. She highlighted that protests have grown not only in the capital but also in other regions, reflecting broader and deeper dissatisfaction. Industries including restaurants, farms, and factories are reporting losses due to the irregular power supply, while hospitals and homebound patients reliant on medical devices have been seriously affected.
Economic indicators show sluggish growth, with unemployment holding steady at 15 percent and the World Bank describing Tunisia’s 2025 growth as moderate relative to its regional peers. The country faces significant financial strain, with foreign reserves covering only about three months of imports. Key sectors such as tourism, remittances, agriculture, and exports provide some support but have failed to generate sufficient momentum to improve employment and living standards.
Saied rejected a $1.9 billion International Monetary Fund loan offer in 2023, criticizing the lender’s conditions, yet he has not presented a clear alternative economic plan. In response to the outages, the president suggested sabotage as a possible cause and vowed to hold accountable officials deemed negligent. This stance drew criticism from the Tunisian General Labour Union’s secretary-general, Salaheddine Selmi, who called such accusations misleading and unhelpful.
Experts underscore that the power cuts and decline in public services mirror broader systemic difficulties within the Tunisian state. Riccardo Fabiani, director for North Africa at the International Crisis Group, noted that Saied’s initial promise to restore institutional strength remains unfulfilled, contributing to a sense of state deterioration.
As protests continue, young Tunisians like Sabrine, a 35-year-old translator, express growing pessimism about the future, with many seeking opportunities abroad amid the ongoing political and economic uncertainty. The situation underscores the significant challenges Tunisia faces as it grapples with the legacy of its democratic transition and the current concentration of power.