Although we are only getting started, we aim to progressively extend our coverage of countries around the world.
The 2011 democratization process started in 2011 was short lived.
Since then, Tunisia has been on a steady course of democratic erosion.
Many refugees from other African countries attempt to transit through Tunisia
before crossing the Mediterranean See onwards to Europe.
Europe, while concerned with the democratic backsliding,
must contend with Tunisia in order to control immigration into Europe.
According to the Italian Ministry of Interior, 42,719 people have left for Europe from Tunisia so far in 2023.
In 2023, the European Union offered Tunisia 100 million euros for border management, search and rescue,
and returns “rooted in respect for human rights ” to address migration,
as part of a larger 1 billion euros loan package to help Tunisia's faltering economy.
Tunisia seeks to join the BRICS block.
5.51
Full democracyFlawed democracyHybrid regimeAuthoritarian regime
58.49
GoodSatisfactoryProblematicDifficultVery Serious
After the ouster of a longtime autocrat in 2011, Tunisia held a series of free multiparty elections, and citizens enjoyed considerable political rights and civil liberties under a constitution promulgated in 2014. However, endemic corruption, economic challenges, security threats, and unresolved problems related to gender equality and transitional justice remained obstacles to full democratic consolidation. In 2021, President Kaïs Saïed took a number of emergency measures aimed at transforming the political system and expanding his own executive power. Having unilaterally replaced the prime minister and suspended the parliament, in 2022 Saïed formally dissolved the old legislature, issued a new constitution and electoral law, and continued campaigns of legal harassment against his political opponents.
Despite attacks against online expression following President Kaïs Saïed’s July 2021 seizure of extraordinary powers, in which he dismissed the prime minister and indefinitely suspended the parliament, Tunisia’s internet freedom score remained the highest in the Arab world. The country’s information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure is robust, internet access is relatively affordable, and authorities are working to expand access outside of major cities. However, individuals risk prosecution for publishing online content that is critical of the president, security forces, or the government, and some users have experienced harassment in response to their online activity. Two online communications platforms were temporarily blocked during the coverage period, and a repressive new law on false news presents additional obstacles to online speech. Surveillance remains a concern, particularly in light of the country’s history of intrusive monitoring under former authoritarian president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali and its lack of a comprehensive legal framework to regulate the use of surveillance tools.
In 2011, the Tunisian Revolution, which was triggered by dissatisfaction with the lack of freedom and democracy
under the 24-year rule of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, overthrew his regime
and catalyzed the broader Arab Spring movement across the region.
Free multiparty parliamentary elections were held shortly thereafter;
the country again voted for parliament on 26 October 2014, and for president on 23 November 2014.
From 2014 to 2020, it was considered the only democratic state in the Arab world,
according to the Democracy Index (The Economist).
After a democratic backsliding Tunisia is rated a hybrid regime.
It is one of the few countries in Africa ranking high in the Human Development Index,
with one of the highest per capita incomes on the continent, ranking 129th in GDP per capita income.
A constitutional referendum was held in Tunisia on 25 July 2022 by the Independent High Authority for Elections.
The referendum was supported by the Tunisian president, Kais Saied, one year into a political crisis that began on 25 July 2021.