HIBAPRESS
Tunisian President Kais Saied summoned the European Union Ambassador to Tunisia, Giuseppe Perrone, to protest what the Tunisian presidency described as "non-compliance with diplomatic norms," according to a statement issued on Wednesday.
The statement explained that Saied summoned the ambassador on Tuesday evening to Carthage Palace to convey a strong protest, following a meeting between Perrone and the Secretary-General of the Tunisian General Labour Union, Noureddine Taboubi, outside the official diplomatic references. This comes amid escalating tensions between the Tunisian president and Taboubi, who announced in previous statements that the union "is heading towards a general strike" in defense of social rights and trade union gains, in the face of what he describes as marginalizing the organization's social role. The EU Ambassador, during his meeting with Taboubi, expressed his appreciation for the "significant role" played by the union in supporting social dialogue and economic development, reiterating the EU's readiness to continue dialogue and support Tunisia socially and economically. The Tunisian General Labour Union, which includes more than 700,000 members, is a key player in the political and social scene and played a pivotal role during the democratic transition phase after the 2011 revolution. This diplomatic and political tension comes at a time when Tunisia is witnessing an increase in popular protests demanding the protection of freedoms and the improvement of the economic situation. Last Saturday, the capital witnessed a demonstration in which more than two thousand people participated, including politicians and activists, who condemned the decline in rights and freedoms since Saied's announcement of the July 25, 2021 measures, which included the dismissal of the government, the freezing of parliament and its dissolution, and the adoption of a new constitution that enhanced the powers of the President of the Republic.
