TUNIS, July 25, 2026 — Tunisians took to the streets in multiple cities this week, protesting prolonged electricity and water cuts during an extreme heatwave that pushed temperatures to 50°C (122°F). Demonstrators blocked roads, burned tires, and voiced anger at President Kais Saied’s government as rolling blackouts disrupted daily life, businesses, and health services.
The Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG) has imposed scheduled power cuts since mid-July to prevent a total grid collapse under record demand driven by air conditioning. Outages have spread more widely than in previous summers, affecting major urban areas and compounding existing water shortages. Residents reported spoiled food, halted businesses, and hospitals strained by patients needing oxygen or cooling. Some protesters warned of “another revolution” if conditions do not improve.
The immediate crisis has layered onto deeper grievances. Tunisia has seen a sharp rise in demonstrations over the past year, fueled by high unemployment, inflation, and economic stagnation. Since Saied consolidated power in 2021 by suspending parliament and expanding presidential authority, critics have accused him of authoritarian rule. Opposition figures, journalists, and activists have faced arrests and trials, prompting repeated marches demanding the release of political prisoners and a return to democratic norms.
Labor unions, including the UGTT, have organized rallies against government policies, while local protests have also targeted pollution and other issues. Saied’s presidency has publicly monitored the outages and called for them to end immediately, but public frustration remains high.
With anger boiling over both material hardships and political restrictions, some observers and protesters speculate that sustained unrest could challenge Saied’s hold on power.
