Thousands marched to the Tunisian parliament in Tunis on Tuesday, January 26, demanding change in the political system and opposing state violence

The protests this year began on the 10th anniversary of the resignation of long-time president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali during the Arab Spring protests. The protests were heavily repressed by the police leading to more anger on the streets

In the 10 years since the Arab Spring, while democracy has functioned in Tunisia at a procedural level, it has not met the aspirations of the people, especially the youth

According to the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, the country saw more than 6,500 protests last year alone over the many socio-economic and political issues afflicting the people

The protesters were opposing increasing police brutality and the announcement of fresh lockdown measures on Thursday. Protests took place in at least 10 cities across the country

Blogger Wajdi Mahouechi was reportedly arrested after he criticized the public prosecutor in Tunisia. On November 12,  the Tunis First Instance Court convicted him of all charges and sentenced him to two years in prison along with a fine of 1,000 Tunisian Dinars (USD 300)

The newly proposed bill intends to do away with the requirement of obtaining government licenses to open and operate television and radio channels in the country

Hichem Mechichi’s government won the majority in the parliament although many members expressed reservations with it and voted for it only to avoid early elections

The political situation in Tunisia was further complicated following last week’s resignation of Elyes Fakhfakh from the post of prime minister and a vote of no-confidence against the speaker of parliament

Ennahda, the largest party in the ruling coalition, had moved a motion of no confidence in Fakhfakh citing clash of interest due to allegations of the prime minister holding shares in companies getting government contracts worth USD 15 million.

Protesters have demanded that the Tunisian president, Kais Saied, visit the southern region and address the hardships faced by the local population, as well as respond to the police killing of a youth in the town of Remada on July 7 

Protests continue in Tunisia for a third day to demand better economic conditions and an end to police brutality against protesters