Political career 1930 to 19341934 to 19391939 to 19451945 to 19491949 to 1956 President of Tunisia The Tunisian bread riots (French: émeutes du pain, Arabic: أحداث الخبز) were a series of violent demonstrations in Tunisia that occurred from December 1983 to January 1984, triggered by a rise in the price of bread due to an IMF-imposed austerity program.

Three years later General Zine El Abidine Ben Ali seized power in a coup.

In the 1970s, the Tunisian economy experienced high levels of growth (roughly 8% annually) due to agricultural and petroleum exports in addition to growing tourism.

[2] The government was struggling to meet rising expenses when a fall in the price of oil towards the end of 1983 further reduced revenue.

[4] The IMF loan was conditional on government spending cuts, removal of exchange controls, elimination of protective tariffs and devaluation of the currency.

[6] During these riots, bread served as a symbol in opposition to poverty, oppression, and neoliberal economic policy.

Leftist parties were becoming more popular, as were the Islamist movements, while members of the political elite were jostling for position in anticipation of the aging president's death or resignation.

[7] On Sunday January 1st 1984, a peaceful protest occurred in the city of Gafsa, organized by Umar Thabet Qaadir, who served as the leader of the local branc of the Human Rights League.

The demonstrators roamed the streets yelling anti-government slogans and attacking symbols of power, encouraged by onlookers in the windows and on rooftops.

[9][a] President Bourguiba announced on 6 January 1984 that the increase in the price of bread and flour had been cancelled.

[16] The handling of the price rise damaged the position of Mzali, who had been seen as the probable successor to Bourguiba.

[17] In an attempt to recover his popularity Mzali toured the provinces after the riots, promising projects to create new jobs.

[18] Mzali said, "the first lesson to be drawn from the events of January was that it is necessary to reorganise the forces of order so that they can respond adequately to all situations.

The MTI leaders had encouraged their followers to join in the riots, but the government produced no proof that they had organized them.

[16] As part of a clamp-down on the opposition, General Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was reappointed director-general of national security.

[21] Under Ben Ali's administration, a neoliberal economic system was implemented which worsened tensions between the Tunisian people and the government.