Hundreds of protesters gathered in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, on Thursday to demand the removal of President Kais Saied and the restoration of democratic governance. The demonstration marked the second month of public protests over economic hardship and political restrictions. The previous protest on July 25 coincided with the anniversary of Saied’s 2021 dismissal of the government and suspension of parliament. Saied, a former constitutional lawyer elected in 2019, has ruled by decree since then and dissolved parliament in 2022. Activist Wissem Sghaier, who participated in the march, said the country faces severe challenges, according to Reuters. Protesters rejected “one‑man rule” and warned of a slide toward dictatorship, urging the release of jailed opposition figures, activists and journalists. Tunisian authorities have faced mounting economic pressure, with inflation at 5.2 percent, shortages of basic goods, and reduced public services, the World Bank reported. The government has introduced cost‑saving measures, including a halt to public sector hiring and cuts to imports. Protests have also erupted in other regions over water and power outages and environmental issues, indicating that public anger extends beyond political disputes to everyday hardships. Rights groups say the administration has intensified actions targeting opposition leaders, civil society groups, journalists and activists. The situation remains unresolved as the government has not yet responded to the demonstrators’ demands.