Summary:

The 25 July 2022 referendum on President Kais Saied’s proposed constitution took place with relatively little fanfare and relatively few Tunisians participating, with national voter turnout registering at around 30%. Young voters in particular failed to turnout to participate, while older voters appeared more engaged.

Analysis:  

The referendum highlights the lack of faith in government, particularly among young Tunisians, who are less concerned with institutional validity and more concerned with corruption and inefficiency in the street. During the 2011 revolution, Tunisian’s youth demanded “dignity before bread” and their government has arguably failed to provide them with a meaningful share of either.