Towards a new revolution in Tunisia

Three nights of riots in Tunisia against the expensive life and the specter of a new revolution worried. The analysis of Marc Pierini, former EU ambassador to Tunisia.

In Tunisia, social discontent is not extinguished. On Wednesday, for the third night in a row, clashes erupted between police officers and young protesters in several cities across the country. A protest movement against expensive living and inequalities. A social crisis that could lead to a political crisis.

"It's a bit like the return of the old guard, the ministers of the Ben Ali era, the investigations for corruption or the trials have been stopped, so there are some political concerns. Islamist party Ennahdha is in a better position than traditional parties, so Tunisians are also worried about the direction of society. " says Marc Pierini, former ambassador of the European Union in Tunisia.

Tunis has so far been inflexible, limiting itself to condemning "vandalism" and accusing protesters of being manipulated by the opposition.

"For Europe as for the United States, Tunisia is a jewel of the Arab revolution, the only country that has managed to implement constitutional reforms, with the holding of elections.And in the end, the country has has been rather peaceful in recent years.The problem is that for the poor, it looks like an endless process and today, people are afraid that, as before, the rich continue to get rich "says Marc Pierini, former Ambassador of the European Union in Tunisia.

The militants do not disarm and call for a new rally Thursday evening and Friday in Tunis. They demand the release of peaceful protesters. Since Monday, more than 600 people have been arrested.

Seven years after the Arab Spring, the specter of a new revolution seems close.