Tunis – A year after they ousted a dictator and gave birth to the Arab Spring, Tunisians are still battling pressing social and economic problems but now under democratically elected rulers.

The once fearsome name of strongman Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali is now used almost dismissively as Tunisians breathe more easily since the lifting of the yoke of 23-years of iron-fisted rule.

In October, they voted en masse in historic national elections for an assembly now busy redrafting the constitution, and have managed to achieve relative stability, unlike several neighbours touched by the Arab uprisings.

But other problems remain in the form of raging unemployment and widespread social discontent.

“Ben Ali? He exited through the back door of history and the page has been turned. We now have to look at the future,” said Souha, a 48-year-old accountant, summarising the general mood.

“Ben Ali was a trauma, a source of political disgust,” added Yadh Ben Achour, a jurist who helped outline post-revolution reforms.

“He is no longer a threat but when it comes to the entire system, a new chapter has yet to be opened.” » Read more: Tunisia battles economic problems