While 9 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) called for the march planned to be held on October 17 in the capital Tunis, 8 political parties announced that they would participate in the demonstration.
The march, planned to be held with the slogan "Tunisia First, The People Are Above Everything", aims to unite union demands as well as reactions to the economic and social problems in the country.
The march in question is also important in terms of UGTT's efforts to establish dialogue with the government and preparations for the general strike.
Organizations calling for the march draw attention to the problems in the field of rights and freedoms, the decline in purchasing power, unemployment and disruptions in public services, as well as the economic and social crises in the country.
UGTT General Secretary Salahaddin al-Salmi, at the meeting attended by regional union representatives last week, stated that the general strike has become a necessity to defend national organizations and that the strike date will be announced when the time comes.
Unions seek dialogue with the government
Democratic Union Opposition Spokesperson Tayyib Buayşe, who is opposed to the union management, argued in his evaluation to the AA correspondent that one of the main purposes of the mobilization led by the UGTT was to open a dialogue channel with the government.
Buayşe stated that general strike calls are generally linked to the demand to start the negotiation process with the government, and said that the October 17 march is important in terms of measuring the social support and struggle capacity of the union.
Stating that UGTT has difficulty in organizing large-scale actions under current conditions, Buayşe stated that the differences of opinion within the union and the financial problems it experiences limit this capacity.
Buayşe noted that the general strike decision was brought to the agenda at the UGTT National Council held in September 2024, and a date for the strike was set in January 2026, but this decision was later taken back.
Emphasizing that preparations must be made in advance for the general strike to be successful, Buayşe stated that the effect of a strike that is not supported by regional and sectoral actions may be limited.
According to Buayşe, the level of participation in the October 17 march will be an important indicator of whether the union will organize a more comprehensive strike.
The government advocates direct dialogue with citizens instead of unions
Mahmud bin Mebruk, Secretary General of the Mesar Party, which is close to the ruling party, evaluated the call for a march within the scope of the right to demonstrate.
Arguing that the UGTT was going through a weak period, Mebruk claimed that the union and other organizations participating in the demonstrations could not put forward new suggestions and solutions that would affect the management's decisions.
Mebruk stated that the administration preferred to communicate directly with citizens instead of unions and political formations, and argued that there was no need for intermediary structures.
Evaluating the UGTT and some political circles' turn to opposition after initially supporting the extraordinary measures taken by President Kays Said on July 25, 2021, Mebruk claimed that this change was due to the fact that the expectations of these circles to take part in the administration and be represented in the parliament were not met.
However, Mebruk stated that the government continues its dialogue with some political parties and non-governmental organizations, and that communication continues between their parties and the administration and that some of their suggestions are taken into consideration by the government.
Political debates ongoing since 2021
President Kays Said stopped the activities of the parliament on July 25, 2021, and later dissolved the parliament and implemented extraordinary administrative measures. During the process, the new Constitution was accepted by referendum and early parliamentary elections were held.
While some political circles in Tunisia evaluate Said's steps as "consolidation of one-man rule", other groups defend them as a return to the goals of the 2011 revolution and the correction of the political system.
Said, who will continue his second presidential term until October 2029, states that the measures he has taken are necessary and lawful to prevent the collapse of the state.
The march on October 17 is also important in terms of showing to what extent reactions to economic and social problems, as well as this political division, can meet on common ground.
