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Tunisians hope new leaders tackle pollution, development

Tunisians no longer trust their politicians, especially the residents of Gabes who are still suffering from pollution, unemployment and underdevelopment.

Tunisians wave banners and their national flag while they shout slogans against the country's ruling Islamist Ennahda party, on November 27, 2013 in the central Tunisian town of Gafsa, as a general strike was called to protest against poverty and lack of development. Angry protesters set fire to the Ennahda party in the neglected Gafsa region, as strikes were observed in areas amid rising discontent and political deadlock. AFP PHOTO / STR        (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
Tunisians wave banners and their national flag while they shout slogans against the country's ruling Islamist Ennahda party, Nov. 27, 2013, in the central Tunisian town of Gafsa, where a general strike was called to protest against poverty and lack of development. — STR/AFP/Getty Images

GABES, Tunisia — The nauseating smell of phosphate hangs over the town of Gabes, the capital city of the Gabes governorate, a province of Tunisia, a constant reminder that for all the talk about democracy, people are still waiting for the kind of hands-on policies that will benefit people’s lives.

Like the pollution here that seeps into people’s lungs with every breath, economic hardship, unemployment and chronic underdevelopment are as much of a daily burden as they were under the previous regime.

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