The article critiques the failure of the Tunisian presidency under the current president to realize the political promises made since his election, emphasizing the deepening disconnection between rhetoric and reality.
As October 2025 arrives, the Tunisian president officially embarks on the second year of his final presidential term, introducing it as a phase of 'construction and establishment' following years of liberation from the 'old regime'. However, this new phase, which he intended as the pinnacle of his political project, quickly revealed a significant gap between his promises and the actual situation on the ground. Instead of ushering in a new beginning for Tunisia, the country appears more fatigued, isolated, and distant from any genuine reform amid unprecedented concentration of power and complete exclusion of intermediary bodies.
Since the start of his second term, the president has continued to foster a model of governance devoid of any political, social, or civil intermediaries. Political parties have been viewed as burdens on the state, while civil society organizations are seen as obstacles to what he characterizes as the 'will of the people', leading to a severe constriction of freedoms and a blatant violation of rights. This trend reflects a troubling shift towards a more authoritarian form of governance that undermines the very foundations of democracy in Tunisia.
The article highlights that instead of progress, Tunisians are experiencing a regression in their democratic aspirations and rights, which raises questions about the future of the country under such a concentrated power structure. The implications of this governance model suggest a troubling trajectory for Tunisia’s political landscape, risking further civic unrest and disillusionment among its citizens as they grapple with the stark realities of their political environment.
