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Hundreds attend anti-austerity protests in Tunis amid heavy police presence Hundreds attend anti-austerity protests in Tunis amid heavy police presence
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of Tunisians have demonstrated peacefully in the capital against government austerity measures on the seventh anniversary of the ousting of former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, following a week of unrest in which hundreds of people have been arrested. Hundreds of Tunisians have demonstrated peacefully in the capital against government austerity measures on the seventh anniversary of the ousting of the former president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, following a week of unrest in which hundreds of people have been arrested.
Protests erupted last Monday in several towns and cities across Tunisia, triggered by tax and price increases imposed on 1 January as the government seeks to reduce a budget deficit to meet an agreement with its international donors.Protests erupted last Monday in several towns and cities across Tunisia, triggered by tax and price increases imposed on 1 January as the government seeks to reduce a budget deficit to meet an agreement with its international donors.
More than 800 people have been arrested for vandalism and acts of violence, including throwing petrol bombs at police stations, according to the interior ministry.More than 800 people have been arrested for vandalism and acts of violence, including throwing petrol bombs at police stations, according to the interior ministry.
The government late on Saturday pledged extra aid for poor families in response to the demonstrations, but protesters still took to the streets, holding banners with slogans against rising prices and new taxes.The government late on Saturday pledged extra aid for poor families in response to the demonstrations, but protesters still took to the streets, holding banners with slogans against rising prices and new taxes.
The social affairs minister, Mohamed Trabelsi, announced on Saturday monthly aid to needy families would rise from 150 dinars (£45) to between 180 and 210 dinars The social affairs minister, Mohamed Trabelsi, announced on Saturday that monthly aid to needy families would rise from 150 dinars (£45) to between 180 and 210 dinars.
He also said reforms that have been in the pipeline for months would guarantee medical care for all Tunisians and also provide housing to disadvantaged families.He also said reforms that have been in the pipeline for months would guarantee medical care for all Tunisians and also provide housing to disadvantaged families.
“This will concern about 250,000 families,” he said. “It will help the poor and middle class.”“This will concern about 250,000 families,” he said. “It will help the poor and middle class.”
The announcement came after the president, Beji Caid Essebsi, consulted with political parties, unions and employers. At the opening of his consultations, Essebsi accused the foreign press of amplifying the social unrest and damaging the country’s image in its coverage of protests.The announcement came after the president, Beji Caid Essebsi, consulted with political parties, unions and employers. At the opening of his consultations, Essebsi accused the foreign press of amplifying the social unrest and damaging the country’s image in its coverage of protests.
The president said he would visit a disadvantaged neighbourhood of Tunis that had been the scene of street protests.The president said he would visit a disadvantaged neighbourhood of Tunis that had been the scene of street protests.
One rally took place in front of the labour union (UGTT) headquarters and other protests were held along the central Habib Bourguiba Avenue, to which hundreds of riot police had been deployed.One rally took place in front of the labour union (UGTT) headquarters and other protests were held along the central Habib Bourguiba Avenue, to which hundreds of riot police had been deployed.
“This is what the government has done to us,” said a protester named Fouad. “Pockets are empty by unfair decisions of the government ... I am a professor and my wife is a teacher, but we are suffering today to meet what we need.” “This is what the government has done to us,” said a protester named Fouad. “Pockets are empty by unfair decisions of the government … I am a professor and my wife is a teacher, but we are suffering today to meet what we need.”
“We have only won the freedom of expression after 2011 revolution ... but we will remain in the streets until we win our economic rights just as we have our freedom“, he added. “We have only won freedom of expression after the 2011 revolution … but we will remain in the streets until we win our economic rights just as we have our freedom,” he added.
Police sought to separate supporters of the opposition Popular Front party and the Islamist Ennahda party, which is part of the ruling coalition. The government and Ennahda accuse the PF of being behind some of last week’s violence.Police sought to separate supporters of the opposition Popular Front party and the Islamist Ennahda party, which is part of the ruling coalition. The government and Ennahda accuse the PF of being behind some of last week’s violence.
Prices have increased for fuel and some consumer goods, while taxes on cars, phone calls, the internet, hotel accommodation and other items have also gone up.Prices have increased for fuel and some consumer goods, while taxes on cars, phone calls, the internet, hotel accommodation and other items have also gone up.
Tunisia has been hailed as the only democratic success of the Arab spring: the one Arab country to topple a long-serving leader in that year’s uprisings without triggering widespread violence or civil war. Tunisia has been hailed as the only democratic success of the Arab spring: the one Arab country to topple a long-serving leader in 2011’s uprisings without triggering widespread violence or civil war.
Tunisia has had nine governments since Ben Ali’s overthrow, none of which has been able to resolve deep-rooted economic problems. The economy has worsened since a vital tourism sector was nearly wiped out by a wave of deadly militant attacks in 2015, and has yet to recover despite improved security. Tunisia has had nine governments since Ben Ali’s overthrow, none of which has been able to resolve deep-rooted economic problems. The economy has worsened since the vital tourism sector was nearly wiped out by a wave of deadly militant attacks in 2015, and has yet to recover despite improved security.
The week of demonstrations broke out ahead of Sunday’s seventh anniversary of the toppling of Ben Ali in a revolt that sparked uprisings across the Arab region. The week of demonstrations broke out before Sunday’s seventh anniversary of the toppling of Ben Ali in a revolt that sparked uprisings across the Arab region.
A man in his 40s died during unrest on Monday night in the northern town of Tebourba, though police have insisted they did not kill him.A man in his 40s died during unrest on Monday night in the northern town of Tebourba, though police have insisted they did not kill him.
Interior ministry spokesman Khlifa Chibani on Saturday said 803 people suspected of taking part in acts of violence, theft and looting were arrested this week. The interior ministry spokesman Khlifa Chibani on Saturday said 803 people suspected of taking part in acts of violence, theft and looting had been arrested this week.