TUNIS: More than 1,000 opposition activists staged a protest in central Tunis yesterday against the government and political violence, days after the death of an opposition party official. It comes on the eve of the anniversary of Tunisia’s first free elections, in a political climate marked by tensions within the national assembly and a stalled new constitution.
Supporters of the leftist coalition the Popular Front shouted slogans such as: “The people want to regime to fall!” and “Jobs, freedom, dignity!” — rallying cries of the revolution that toppled president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali last year. Three other parties, including ex-premier Beji Caid Essebsi’s Call of Tunisia, also assembled several hundred supporters on Habib Bourguiba Avenue in the city center to denounce sporadic political violence in Tunisia.
“I am here to protest against violence. I think that the government has behaved irresponsibly, and like any irresponsible person, it cannot stay in power,” opposition MP Ahmed Khaskhoussi told AFP. “It does not realize the seriousness of the situation,” he added.
Anti-govt demo held in Tunis
