ALMOST seven years to the day after they toppled a dictator, sparking the Arab spring, Tunisians are back on the streets. Since January 8th thousands of people have joined protests about economic hardship. There has been unrest in the capital, Tunis, where demonstrators ransacked a supermarket. It is worse in the impoverished interior, where the Arab spring protests began. Police stations have been burned and shops looted. One person has died; dozens have been injured.
The protesters are angry about a new finance law, which took effect on January 1st and caused widespread price hikes. Many of the changes are aimed at the wealthy: taxes on marble, jacuzzis and yachts all rose steeply. But the law also affects everyday goods, such as bread, vegetables and phone cards. The value-added tax was raised by a percentage point.
Youssef Chahed, the prime minister, acknowledged that the country was “having difficulties”, but dismissed many...Continue reading
Source: Middle East and Africa http://ift.tt/2qSQeGx
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