National Coalition prevented from holding meeting in Jendouba, Tunisia

Neji Jalloul, the party's secretary general, and Haythem El Aouni, a leader, accused authorities of obstructing normal political activity. El Aouni stated on Facebook that the ban extends beyond a partisan meeting to the broader right of citizens to hear different political opinions, despite all administrative procedures, including official notification, having been followed. He described the shrinking political space as a dangerous message, implying that the public sphere tolerates only one voice.

El Aouni contrasted a popular government with its ability to accept pluralism, asserting that a government confident in its popular support would not fear a meeting or a party presenting its program. He also linked the ban to broader national issues like the high cost of living, unemployment, deteriorating public services, and the economic crisis, affirming that the National Coalition will continue its peaceful political activities, viewing political freedom as a right, not a privilege. He concluded that when politics is managed by prohibition rather than persuasion, the crisis lies with governance, not the opposition.

Following the meeting's cancellation, Jalloul reported that delegates were also prevented from sitting in cafes in Jendouba, questioning if they had becom