Tunisia marks Saied's emergency measures anniversary amid deadly power crisis

One year after President Kais Saied triggered a political earthquake by suspending parliament and assuming executive control, Tunisia is grappling with a deadly power crisis that has plunged the country into darkness and deepened fears about the erosion of democratic gains. The anniversary comes as citizens endure rolling blackouts and protests over electricity shortages, with authorities blaming infrastructure decay and fuel scarcity for the outages that have reportedly caused several deaths in heat-related incidents.

A Year of Emergency Rule

On July 25, 2021, Saied invoked Article 80 of the constitution to dismiss the government, freeze parliament, and strip lawmakers of immunity. Initially framed as a temporary measure to tackle corruption and political paralysis, the move has since been extended indefinitely, with Saied tightening his grip through presidential decrees. Critics decry it as a coup that dismantled the 2014 constitution, while supporters argue it was necessary to break a logjam that hindered progress. The anniversary has drawn both condemnation from opposition groups and muted rallies from backers.

Deadly Power Shortages

Over the past weeks, Tunisia has suffered widespread blackouts as temperatures soared above 40°C (104°F). The national power grid has struggled to meet demand due to declining gas reserves and maintenance issues. At least four fatalities have been reported from heatstroke during prolonged outages, and hospitals have been forced to use backup generators. The crisis has hit impoverished regions hardest, fuelling anger at the government’s inability to deliver basic services. Labour unions, which played a key role in the 2011 uprising, have called for strikes, warning that the power cuts are symptomatic of deeper economic decay.

Political and Economic Turmoil

The power crisis compounds Tunisia’s broader economic woes, including soaring debt, spiralling inflation, and a tourism sector devastated by the pandemic. Saied, who in December 2021 announced a controversial roadmap for political reform, has consolidated control over the judiciary and appointed a new electoral commission. Talks with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout have stalled, partly due to disagreements over reforms. The political standoff has paralysed governance, with no clear path to restoring the democratic institutions that once made Tunisia the showcase of the Arab Spring.

What Next?

As the blackouts continue and the anniversary fuels polarisation, Saied faces mounting pressure to address both the energy crisis and the legitimacy of his rule. A referendum on a new constitution is expected in July 2022, but opposition boycotts could undermine its credibility. With no end in sight to the political turmoil, Tunisia risks sliding further into instability, threatening the very reforms the emergency measures were meant to secure.