On July 25, 2025, hundreds of Tunisians flooded the streets of the capital, Tunis, to voice their growing frustration and opposition to President Kais Saied's increasingly authoritarian rule. This significant date marked the fourth anniversary of Saied's dramatic power grab in 2021, when he suspended parliament, dismissed the prime minister, and declared a state of emergency, effectively beginning to govern by decree. What was once hailed by some as a bold reform has, for many Tunisians, become a symbol of repression and the dismantling of the republic.
The protests were characterized by chants of "No fear, no terror, power to the people" and "The people want the fall of the regime," echoing through the streets as demonstrators carried portraits of political prisoners and symbolic cages representing the current state of political life in Tunisia. Women played a leading role in the demonstrations, passionately demanding the release of jailed opposition figures, including prominent leaders such as Rached Ghannouchi, head of the Islamist Ennahda party, and Abir Moussi, leader of the right-wing Free Destourian Party. Also among those imprisoned are lawyers like Sonia Dahmani and activists whose voices have been silenced under the current regime.
Saied’s consolidation of power began on July 25, 2021, when he took the unprecedented step of suspending Tunisia’s parliament and dismissing the prime minister, actions that critics quickly labeled a coup. Since then, the country has witnessed a steady erosion of democratic institutions and civil liberties. Key judicial bodies have been dissolved, dozens of judges dismissed, and the judiciary has been reshaped in ways that many see as cementing Saied’s one-man rule. Political opponents, journalists, and activists face harsh sentences under anti-terrorism and conspiracy laws, with many languishing in prison or forced into exile.
Monia Ibrahim, wife of imprisoned politician Abdelhamid Jelassi, articulated the protesters’ primary goal: "Our first aim is to battle against tyranny to restore the democracy and to demand the release of the political detainees." Her words resonated deeply amid reports that Tunisia has effectively become an "open-air prison," where even those not behind bars live in a state of constant fear of arrest, as Saib Souab, son of jailed lawyer and Saied critic Ahmed Souab, explained. "Even those not behind bars live in a state of temporary freedom, constantly at risk of arrest for any reason," he said.
The symbolism of July 25 has dramatically shifted in Tunisia’s collective memory. Originally celebrated as Republic Day, marking Tunisia’s declaration as a republic in 1957, it has since become associated with Saied’s anti-political class “July 25 Movement.” Samir Dilou, a former government minister and member of Ennahda, reflected on this transformation: "July 25 used to mark the Republic’s founding. Now, it marks its dismantling. Absolute power is absolute corruption." His words capture the deep disillusionment felt by many Tunisians who once believed in the promise of democratic progress.
Saida Akremi, the wife of jailed opposition lawyer and former justice minister Noureddine Bhiri, described the day as an "inversion of the republic" and "a betrayal of everything Tunisians stood for." She called for freedom not only for political prisoners but also for lawyers, judges, and honorable citizens who have been swept up in the regime’s crackdown. "I am here to demand freedom for political prisoners, freedom for all detainees, lawyers, judges, and honourable citizens filling the prisons," she declared.
Amnesty International's 2024 report highlighted the intensification of this crackdown, noting that Tunisian authorities have increasingly used vague legal charges to target critics and marginalized groups. The report underscored the systematic erosion of political freedoms and the growing climate of fear that pervades the country.
Women have been particularly targeted in this crackdown. Activist Hafsia Bourguiba pointed out that more than 15 women have been jailed simply for expressing their opinions, a stark indicator of the shrinking space for dissent. The protesters’ chants and banners underscored this reality, with many demanding the release of female political prisoners alongside their male counterparts.
Since 2021, Saied has repeatedly asserted that no one is above accountability, including politicians and judges, whom he has branded "traitors and terrorists." In 2023, he accused judges who would acquit political opponents of being their "accomplices," signaling an aggressive stance toward the judiciary that many see as undermining the rule of law.
As Tunisia’s political turmoil unfolds, it is set against a backdrop of severe economic hardship and widespread public disillusionment. The promise of the Arab Spring—a movement that began in Tunisia and inspired pro-democracy uprisings across the Arab world—now seems a distant memory for many citizens. Instead, they face a reality where political freedoms have been curtailed, and the dream of democratic governance appears increasingly fragile.
The protests of July 25, 2025, represent more than just a commemoration; they are a stark reminder of the country’s ongoing struggle for democracy and justice. As the chants of "The Republic is a large prison" and "No fear, no terror" reverberate through the streets of Tunis, the world watches a nation grappling with the consequences of concentrated power and the urgent call for political renewal.
