Thousands of Tunisians rallied in the capital on Thursday in support of the country’s largest trade union, the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), which is under mounting pressure from President Kais Saied. The demonstration was one of the largest in recent months and came amid warnings by rights groups of shrinking freedoms in the birthplace of the Arab Spring.
The UGTT, a central player in Tunisia’s political and social history, has positioned itself as a rare counterweight to Saied’s authority since his sweeping power grab in 2021. The union was part of the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize-winning “national dialogue quartet,” and continues to wield significant influence with its 700,000 members nationwide.
Protesters flooded the streets of downtown Tunis, waving the union’s red-and-white flags and chanting: “With our soul and our blood, we sacrifice ourselves for the UGTT.” Others voiced anger over rising living costs and what they described as “injustices” under a “police state.”
Crowd estimates varied, with AFP journalists placing the number at more than 2,000, while local media suggested closer to 3,500. Police reportedly blocked dozens of people from joining the demonstration, underscoring tensions between the authorities and the powerful labor movement.
Union Faces Intensifying Pressure From President
The UGTT has, in recent weeks, come under increased criticism not only from Saied but also from citizens weary of repeated strikes in key sectors such as transport and phosphate production. Speaking outside the union’s headquarters, UGTT chief Noureddine Taboubi condemned what he described as “false information” and a “methodical campaign” targeting the organization.
“Our country is going through a delicate phase,” Taboubi declared. “All the foundations of political and civil life have collapsed.”
Earlier in August, the UGTT reported that supporters of President Saied attempted to storm its Tunis headquarters. Videos showed dozens of people gathered outside, accusing the union of “corruption” and “squandering the people’s money.”
Later that night, Saied publicly demanded the union be held accountable, insisting he shared the demonstrators’ frustrations. The president claimed those who protested outside the union offices had no intention of violence. Rights groups, however, described the gathering as aggressive and designed to intimidate the UGTT.
Founded in 1946, the union has played a historic role in Tunisia’s political trajectory. It resisted both colonial authorities and the autocratic regimes of Habib Bourguiba and Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. In 2011, it became a central force in the revolution that ousted Ben Ali and sparked wider Arab uprisings.
Mounting Concerns Over Tunisia’s Democratic Future
Since seizing expanded powers in 2021, Saied has escalated a crackdown on dissent, jailing political rivals, activists, and journalists under sweeping national security charges. Human rights advocates say these arrests represent politically motivated repression, raising fears over the country’s democratic trajectory.
Observers note that Saied’s tightening grip coincides with worsening economic hardship, high inflation, and widespread unemployment, factors that continue to fuel unrest. While the government defends its actions as necessary to curb corruption and preserve stability, critics argue that the measures undermine democratic institutions and silence opposition voices.
International reactions have been cautious but pointed. Western governments and rights organizations have urged Tunisia to respect basic freedoms and safeguard the rule of law. Some have warned that prolonged political repression risks eroding Tunisia’s image as a democratic model in the region.
As tensions deepen, the standoff between Saied’s government and the UGTT threatens to polarize society further. The coming months are expected to be pivotal in determining whether Tunisia can balance the president’s calls for order with the democratic values born out of the 2011 revolution.
