Tunisia’s Saied believes he is on a “divine mission”

Tunisian President Kais Saied, who won a landslide re-election this weekend among low turnout, believes he is on a "divine mission" to rebuild the country, AFP reports. The 66-year-old former law professor was first elected President in 2019. He launched a power grab in 2021, dismissing parliament and changing the constitution to consolidate and expand his authority. Saied consistently frames his leadership as a battle against corruption and foreign interference, having fired three prime ministers in three years while frequently alleging "conspiratorial forces" are undermining Tunisia.

Critics however accuse him of steering the country toward authoritarianism, drawing comparisons to former dictators like Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Amnesty International has condemned a "worrying decline in fundamental rights" under his rule. Saied rejects foreign economic pressures, particularly from the International Monetary Fund, which he blames for worsening poverty. 

Despite this, he retains significant support, with many backers praising his efforts to fight corruption and restore stability amid Tunisia's political and economic turmoil.