Tunisia PM promises end to austerity after clashes across the country
The Tunisian prime minister, Youssef Chahed, sought to calm anti-austerity protesters yesterday with promises of an end to economic hardship, a day after a demonstrator was killed in clashes with police.
Protests erupted in more than 10 towns across Tunisia on Monday against price and tax increases aimed at reducing a ballooning deficit and an economic crisis. One protester was killed in Tebourba, a town 40 kilometres west of Tunis.
Khelifa Chibani, a spokesman for the interior ministry, said 44 people had been arrested for carrying weapons, setting alight government buildings and looting shops.
Mr Chahed said that while demonstrations were acceptable, violence was not.
“People have to understand that the situation is extraordinary and their country is having difficulties, but we believe that 2018 will be the last difficult year for the Tunisians,” he said.
Anger has been building since the government said that, from January 1, it would increase the price of gas oil and a range of other goods, as well as raise taxes on cars, phone calls, the internet, hotel accommodation and other items as part of austerity measures it has agreed on with its foreign lenders.
But Mr Chibani said: “What happened had nothing to do with democracy and protests against price hikes. Yesterday protesters burnt down two police stations, looted shops, banks and damaged property in many cities.”
The protests are much smaller compared to the previous turmoil seen in Tunisia when the autocratic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was overthrown in 2011.
Earlier confrontations between government, labour unions, militants and secular forces also started small before escalating.
Tunisia’s economy has been in crisis since the 2011 uprising and two militant attacks in 2015 damaged tourism, which makes up 8 per cent of the economy.
Anger has been building since the government said it would increase the price of gas oil and raise a range of taxes