On Thursday, a protest organized by the newly‑formed Nafas movement is expected to take place in the capital city of Tunis. The gathering comes as Tunisians grapple with extreme summer heat that has pushed temperatures to as high as 50 °C (122 °F) in parts of the country, straining the national power grid and water supply.

Why the protest is being called

The Nafas movement, launched in May, describes itself as an umbrella initiative that seeks to unite political parties and independent figures beyond the traditional opposition to President Kais Saied. Its leaders say the protest is a response to what they call government failure and injustice, pointing to repeated utility rationing, chronic shortages of essential medicines, soaring living costs and high unemployment.

State‑owned utility STEG has imposed electricity rationing in several regions after demand surged to record levels during the heat wave. The power cuts have also disrupted water‑pumping stations, worsening access to drinking water in affected areas. Bottled‑water shelves emptied quickly as prolonged blackouts halted factory operations.

Economic pressures add to public frustration

Manufacturing has been hit by a shortage of raw plastic, a consequence of ongoing shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz that have limited petrochemical exports to North Africa. The shortage has slowed production of plastic bottles, further tightening the supply of bottled water.

Last month, a Nafas‑organized protest in Tunis drew a larger crowd than usual, including several social‑media influencers who voiced discontent with the country’s political status quo for the first time. The demonstration coincided with the fifth anniversary of President Saied’s consolidation of power, when he suspended parliament, dismissed the government and cemented his rule. Participants called for political change, the release of political prisoners and an end to deteriorating economic conditions and failing public services.

Government response and broader context

President Saied has steadily increased control since taking office in 2021, tightening restrictions on independent media, civil‑society groups and any dissenting voices. He frequently accuses opposition groups of receiving foreign funding intended to destabilize Tunisia’s national interests.

Recent rallies have featured more explicit slogans demanding Saied’s resignation, including the 2011 Arab‑Spring chant “the people want the fall of the regime” and the French phrase “Dégage” (Get Out), which was also used in protests that ousted former autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

What’s at stake

The upcoming protest highlights the growing frustration among Tunisians who feel basic services are failing under an increasingly authoritarian government. With heat‑driven power and water shortages expected to persist through the summer, the demonstration may serve as a barometer for public sentiment ahead of any future political reforms.

Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.