Summary:

On 19 November 2025, the Tunisian Young Doctors Organization staged a nationwide strike and rallied outside the Assembly of the Representatives of the People, in a continuation of the groups ongoing dispute with the administration over workplace conditions, pay, and benefits.  

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The protestors denounced delays in promised salary increases, unpaid on-call duties, and the neglect of housing for vulnerable staff, including pregnant women, nursing mothers, and employees with chronic illnesses. Emergency services continued to operate despite the strike, which was highlighted by the doctors to demonstrate their commitment to patient care.  

Additionally, on 20 November, journalists held nationwide demonstrations in front of government offices and regional headquarters, calling for press freedom, the end of legal harassment under Decree 54, professional accreditation, and reform of public media institutions. They also pointed to obstacles faced by international reporters, who are often blocked from reporting despite holding official accreditation. Both movements underscore growing frustration with the government’s repeated failure to uphold professional and civil rights.  

This wave of frustration continued in the days that followed, leading to another protest in downtown Tunis on 22 November. Hundreds rallied to denounce what they described as growing authoritarianism and to call for the release of political detainees.  

The demonstration brought together relatives of detainees, opposition activists, and civil society groups, who accused the authorities of suppressing dissent. Protesters chanted slogans against President Kais Saied and held signs demanding an end to what they described as arbitrary arrests and restrictions on freedoms.

Outlook: 

Domestic tensions in Tunisia are likely to persist in the near term as various interest groups continue to express dissatisfaction with their professional and social situations. 

Unresolved grievances could prompt additional strikes, demonstrations, and advocacy efforts as the administration seeks to balance a deficit budget with a growing list of demands from various interest groups. However, demonstrators and protestors have yet to show a willingness to defy public orders or to engage in significant acts of violence against security forces, indicating that the threat of civil unrest remains limited at this point. 

While the government may seek to manage these pressures through dialogue or targeted measures, failure to address core demands risks fueling further discontent among key professional sectors, potentially complicating upcoming budgetary and legislative processes.  

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