Major union in Tunisia urges end to country’s ‘exceptional measures’

By Yamna Salmi

TUNIS, Tunisia (AA) – The Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT) has called on the country’s president, Kais Saied, to expedite the end of exceptional measures in the North African nation.

On July 25, Saied ousted the government, suspended parliament, and assumed executive authority. While he insists that his exceptional measures are meant to "save" the country, his critics accuse him of orchestrating a coup.

In a statement, the UGTT said ending the exceptional measures is key to the country’s “stability and the continuation of building democracy and stops external pressure campaigns practiced by some countries.”

The majority of parties in Tunisia reject Saied’s “exceptional measures”, with some accusing him of orchestrating a coup against the constitution.

On Sep. 29, Saied appointed Najla Bouden as a new prime minister, two months after assuming executive authority. Bouden's cabinet was sworn in two weeks later.

Tunisia has been seen as the only country that succeeded in carrying out a democratic transition among Arab countries which witnessed popular revolutions toppling ruling regimes, including Egypt, Libya, and Yemen.

* Writing by Ibrahim Mukhtar