Tunisia's Twin Democracy and Economic Crises Push it to the Brink

{
  "authors": [
    "Sarah Yerkes"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "menaTransitions",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "MEP",
  "programs": [
    "Middle East"
  ],
  "projects": [
    "Tunisia Monitor"
  ],
  "regions": [
    "Middle East"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Democracy",
    "Economy"
  ]
}

In The Media

Tunisia's Twin Democracy and Economic Crises Push it to the Brink

It looks like negotiations with the IMF are progressing. The international community is very worried about the potential for financial collapse in Tunisia and seems willing, for now, to overlook Saied’s authoritarian consolidation and push forward with assistance without political conditionality.

By Sarah Yerkes

Published on Jul 5, 2022

United States Institute of Peace

About the Author

Sarah Yerkes

Senior Fellow, Middle East Program

Sarah Yerkes is a senior fellow in Carnegie’s Middle East Program, where her research focuses on Tunisia’s political, economic, and security developments as well as state-society relations in the Middle East and North Africa.

Recent Work

Commentary
Carnegie’s Summer Beach Reads
- +8
  Sophia Besch, Eric Ciaramella, Steve Feldstein, …
Commentary
Nolan’s "The Odyssey" Has a Colonialism Problem
- Sarah Yerkes

Democracy Economy Middle East

Carnegie India does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie India

Article
India’s Press Note 3 Gamble: Opening the FDI Door to China
On March 10, 2026, India’s Union Cabinet approved amendments to Press Note 3, a regulation that mandated government approval on all foreign direct investment (FDI) from countries sharing a land border with India. This amendment raises questions primarily about whether its stated benefits will materialize and if the risks have been adequately weighed. This piece will address the same.
Konark Bhandari
Commentary
The Impact of U.S. Sanctions and Tariffs on India’s Russian Oil Imports
This piece examines India’s response to U.S. sanctions and tariffs, specifically assessing the immediate market consequences, such as alterations in import costs, and the broader strategic implications for India’s energy security and foreign policy orientation.
Vrinda Sahai
Paper
India-China Economic Ties: Determinants and Possibilities
This paper examines the evolution of India-China economic ties from 2005 to 2025. It explores the impact of global events, bilateral political ties, and domestic policies on distinct spheres of the economic relationship.
Santosh Pai
Commentary
TRUST and Tariffs
The India-U.S. relationship currently appears buffeted between three “Ts”—TRUST, Tariffs, and Trump.
Arun K. Singh
Article
Can Geopolitical Alignment Seal the India-EU FTA?
This article argues that the geopolitical circumstances have never been more conducive, not merely for the early conclusion of the free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the EU, but also for crafting a substantive and comprehensive strategic partnership.
Mohan Kumar

More Work from Carnegie India

Article

India’s Press Note 3 Gamble: Opening the FDI Door to China

On March 10, 2026, India’s Union Cabinet approved amendments to Press Note 3, a regulation that mandated government approval on all foreign direct investment (FDI) from countries sharing a land border with India. This amendment raises questions primarily about whether its stated benefits will materialize and if the risks have been adequately weighed. This piece will address the same.

Konark Bhandari

Commentary

The Impact of U.S. Sanctions and Tariffs on India’s Russian Oil Imports

This piece examines India’s response to U.S. sanctions and tariffs, specifically assessing the immediate market consequences, such as alterations in import costs, and the broader strategic implications for India’s energy security and foreign policy orientation.

Vrinda Sahai

Paper

India-China Economic Ties: Determinants and Possibilities

This paper examines the evolution of India-China economic ties from 2005 to 2025. It explores the impact of global events, bilateral political ties, and domestic policies on distinct spheres of the economic relationship.

Santosh Pai

Commentary

TRUST and Tariffs

The India-U.S. relationship currently appears buffeted between three “Ts”—TRUST, Tariffs, and Trump.

Arun K. Singh

Article

Can Geopolitical Alignment Seal the India-EU FTA?

This article argues that the geopolitical circumstances have never been more conducive, not merely for the early conclusion of the free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the EU, but also for crafting a substantive and comprehensive strategic partnership.

Mohan Kumar