Can Tunisia’s Economy Survive the Terror Attacks?
As Tunisia has democratized since its 2011 Jasmine Revolution, its frail economy remains a danger to social peace, with unemployment even higher than when the country’s mass protests began in late 2010. Terrorist attacks this year killed more than 50 foreigners, undercutting tourism, the country’s third-largest industry. On November 3, Houcine Abassi, Tunisia’s most prominent labor leader, discussed these economic troubles and their implications for the country’s evolution. Abassi heads the Tunisian General Labor Union, part of the National Dialogue Quartet, which in October was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.