[19] The protests began in response to a new law that took effect on 1 January, and raised taxes on gasoline, phone cards, housing, internet usage, hotel rooms and foods such as fruits and vegetables.

[22] This loan however is argued by many activist and economist as having worsened the economy, since the IMF regularly imposed the central Tunisian Bank to devalue their currency.

[27] Thus, the protests were a reflection of both social, economic and political demands, although Tunisia has been described as the single 'success story' of the Middle East, time has shown that this is no longer the case in the country.

[30] This younger generation fears for the effects of these new imposed laws and on the future of Tunisia that would include an intensification of unemployment among the youth and lead to an increase in inequality.

[13] The opposition then called for a mass protest to be held in the capital city of Tunis on 14 January to mark the seventh anniversary of the Arab Spring uprising, which toppled President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

[11][35] By the evening of 10 January over 2100 troops had been deployed to "protect sovereign institutions and vital facilities", such as "banks, post offices and other government buildings in the country's main cities" according to Defense Ministry spokesman Belhassen al-Waslati.

[38][39] On 12 January, the Spokesperson for OHCHR, Rupert Colville, stated that "the United Nations is closely watching the demonstrations across Tunisia and the authorities’ response to them".

[40] He posed his concern about the high number of arrests and asserted that "authorities must ensure that those exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are not prevented from doing so.

"[41][2] Mr. Colville added that "peaceful demonstrators must not be held responsible or penalised for the violent acts of others" and urged all "sides to work together towards resolving, with full respect for human rights, the economic and social problems underpinning the unrest.

"[40] The governments of Britain, Germany, Sweden, Norway and Belgium warned their citizens about potential rioting, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke with Tunisian leaders about the protests, saying he believed that when the country "stands united" Tunisia would "overcome its problems.

"[42][43][44] The embassy of the United States in the country put out a statement as well, hereby reminding U.S. citizens "residing in and visiting Tunisia to exercise caution, avoid demonstrations and crowds and monitor local media for breaking events.

[56] Hamma Hamni, the leader of the opposition party 'Popular Front', claimed that protests would only end if the president would withdraw the set budget for 2018.