Tunisia commemorates the seventh anniversary of its “revolution” »

Affiliate – INA Today, Sunday, Tunisia commemorated the seventh anniversary of the Jasmine Revolution, which was the spark of the “Arab Spring,” amid popular dissatisfaction with the lack of improvement in social conditions during this period. This year’s anniversary coincides with violent popular protests across Tunisian territory, against the high cost of living and austerity measures imposed by the controversial 2018 budget. Tunisian cities are expected to witness several demonstrations called for by opposition political parties, activists, and human rights organizations. This comes at a time when Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi, yesterday, Saturday, discussed with the ruling parties and the most important civil society organizations to get out of the crisis, and in an attempt to calm the protests, the government announced a package of social measures and programs accompanying the finance law. Tunisian Minister of Social Affairs, Mohamed Trabelsi, revealed the “social safety” system, which falls within the national strategy to combat poverty and social integration in his country. The system works to guarantee a minimum income for poor families, ensure health coverage for all Tunisians, and help provide adequate housing for families. Night demonstrations and riots took place last week in a number of Tunisian cities in a protest movement fueled by ongoing unemployment, which officially stands at 13 percent, and increases in taxes. The Tunisian Ministry of Interior said that 803 people were arrested. The Tunisian revolution broke out on December 17, 2010, when Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor, set himself on fire in the city of Sidi Bouzid. After 7 years, a number of Tunisians believe that they have gained freedom, but they have lost in the standard of living. Source: Agencies