A new poll shows Tunisians are quickly losing confidence in their Islamist-led government, with support dropping from 56 percent in March 2012 to 32 percent in May of this year — a notable shift in a region beset by regime changes and unrest at the confluence of religious and democratic principles.
Gallup noted that thousands of Tunisians took to the streets in early August to demand the resignation of the national government.
According to the poll, about 59 percent of Tunisians say they are living comfortably or just getting by, down from 77 percent in 2010.
“The long delay in finalizing the country’s new constitution has likely worn down some Tunisians’ confidence in their government,” Gallup said. “Further frustrating Tunisians could be the killings of two opposition politicians. Media reports suggest protesters in Tunisia may have been emboldened after the demonstrations in Egypt factored into former President Mohamed Morsi’s removal from power.”
The North African country has been credited with setting off the “Arab Spring” of 2011, after a fruit vendor set himself on fire in protest of mistreatment by the government.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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