Nostalgia for old era challenges Tunisia’s democratic gains

FILE - In this Jan. 14, 2012 file photo, protesters chant slogans against President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in Tunis. Since winning a parliamentary seat in 2019, Tunisian lawmaker Abir Moussi has become one of the country’s most popular, and most controversial, politicians, riding a wave of nostalgia for a more stable and prosperous time, just as Tunisia marks 10 years since protesters overthrew autocratic former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Since 2011, Tunisia has been plagued by sinking wages, growing joblessness and worsening public services. Unemployment has risen amid the coronavirus pandemic from 15% to 18%. Attempts to migrate to Europe by sea have soared. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2018 file photo, family members of Tunisians who died in the revolution seven years ago, stage a protest in Tunis, while a child in a baby-stroller rests in front of them. Since winning a parliamentary seat in 2019, Tunisian lawmaker Abir Moussi has become one of the country’s most popular, and most controversial, politicians, riding a wave of nostalgia for a more stable and prosperous time, just as Tunisia marks 10 years since protesters overthrew autocratic former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Since 2011, Tunisia has been plagued by sinking wages, growing joblessness and worsening public services. Unemployment has risen amid the coronavirus pandemic from 15% to 18%. Attempts to migrate to Europe by sea have soared. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi, File)

FILE - In this Aug. 2, 2019 file photo, President of the Free Destourian Party (PDL) Abir Moussi submits her candidacy for the upcoming presidential elections in Tunis, Tunisia. Since winning a parliamentary seat in 2019, Tunisian lawmaker Abir Moussi has become one of the country’s most popular, and most controversial, politicians, riding a wave of nostalgia for a more stable and prosperous time, just as Tunisia marks 10 years since protesters overthrew autocratic former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Since 2011, Tunisia has been plagued by sinking wages, growing joblessness and worsening public services. Unemployment has risen amid the coronavirus pandemic from 15% to 18%. Attempts to migrate to Europe by sea have soared. (AP Photo/File)

FILE - In this April 9, 2012 file photo, a Tunisian woman holds a poster of her martyr son named Helmi Manaai, written under the photo, during a protest in Tunis. Since winning a parliamentary seat in 2019, Tunisian lawmaker Abir Moussi has become one of the country’s most popular, and most controversial, politicians, riding a wave of nostalgia for a more stable and prosperous time, just as Tunisia marks 10 years since protesters overthrew autocratic former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Since 2011, Tunisia has been plagued by sinking wages, growing joblessness and worsening public services. Unemployment has risen amid the coronavirus pandemic from 15% to 18%. Attempts to migrate to Europe by sea have soared. (AP Photo/Amine Landoulsi, File)

FILE - In this Friday, Jan. 14, 2011 file photo, protesters chant slogans against President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali during a demonstration in Tunis. Since winning a parliamentary seat in 2019, Tunisian lawmaker Abir Moussi has become one of the country’s most popular, and most controversial, politicians, riding a wave of nostalgia for a more stable and prosperous time, just as Tunisia marks 10 years since protesters overthrew autocratic former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Since 2011, Tunisia has been plagued by sinking wages, growing joblessness and worsening public services. Unemployment has risen amid the coronavirus pandemic from 15% to 18%. Attempts to migrate to Europe by sea have soared. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)

FILE - In this Monday Nov. 14, 2016 file photo, the president of the Truth and Dignity Commission, Sihem Bensedrine addresses the media during a press conference in Tunis. Since winning a parliamentary seat in 2019, Tunisian lawmaker Abir Moussi has become one of the country’s most popular, and most controversial, politicians, riding a wave of nostalgia for a more stable and prosperous time, just as Tunisia marks 10 years since protesters overthrew autocratic former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Since 2011, Tunisia has been plagued by sinking wages, growing joblessness and worsening public services. Unemployment has risen amid the coronavirus pandemic from 15% to 18%. Attempts to migrate to Europe by sea have soared. (AP Photo/Ali Mhadhbi, File)

FILE - In this Nov. 7, 2007 file photo, Tunisian President Zine EL Abidine Ben Ali and his wife Leila mark the 20th anniversary of Ben Ali's presidency, in Rades, outside Tunis. Since winning a parliamentary seat in 2019, Tunisian lawmaker Abir Moussi has become one of the country’s most popular, and most controversial, politicians, riding a wave of nostalgia for a more stable and prosperous time, just as Tunisia marks 10 years since protesters overthrew autocratic former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Since 2011, Tunisia has been plagued by sinking wages, growing joblessness and worsening public services. Unemployment has risen amid the coronavirus pandemic from 15% to 18%. Attempts to migrate to Europe by sea have soared. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 18, 2011 file photo, a protestor faces riot police officers during a demonstration against the party of Tunisian ruler Ben Ali, in the center of Tunis. Since winning a parliamentary seat in 2019, Tunisian lawmaker Abir Moussi has become one of the country’s most popular, and most controversial, politicians, riding a wave of nostalgia for a more stable and prosperous time, just as Tunisia marks 10 years since protesters overthrew autocratic former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Since 2011, Tunisia has been plagued by sinking wages, growing joblessness and worsening public services. Unemployment has risen amid the coronavirus pandemic from 15% to 18%. Attempts to migrate to Europe by sea have soared. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 16, 2011 file photo, a torn banner of former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali is seen in the center of Tunis. Since winning a parliamentary seat in 2019, Tunisian lawmaker Abir Moussi has become one of the country’s most popular, and most controversial, politicians, riding a wave of nostalgia for a more stable and prosperous time, just as Tunisia marks 10 years since protesters overthrew autocratic former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Since 2011, Tunisia has been plagued by sinking wages, growing joblessness and worsening public services. Unemployment has risen amid the coronavirus pandemic from 15% to 18%. Attempts to migrate to Europe by sea have soared. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)