Clash of Titans in Tunisia – UGTT vs President Saied.

Clash of Titans in Tunisia – UGTT vs President Saied

Introduction

Tunisia stands at a volatile crossroads. On August 21, 2025, the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) is set to stage a major protest in Tunis, directly challenging President Kais Saied’s tightening grip on power. Once a cornerstone of democratic resistance, the UGTT now finds itself weakened, besieged from within and under concerted pressure from the government—and the confrontation is reaching a critical moment.

1. The Roots of the Conflict

Since executing a self-coup in July 2021—suspending parliament, dissolving political institutions, and ruling by decree—President Saied has progressively undermined Tunisia's democratic fabric. The UGTT, historically a powerful political actor, had served as a meaningful counterbalance—but not anymore.

2. UGTT: A Legacy Under Siege

Established before Tunisian independence (1956), the UGTT played a central role in shaping the country’s political trajectory, including navigating the 2015 national dialogue that restored stability in the post-revolution era.

Yet its influence has slipped. A controversial internal decision in 2021 to extend leadership terms fractured its membership. Combined with economic hardship and disillusionment, support has waned—even from those it once served.

3. August Showdown: Sparks Ignite

On August 7, the confrontation turned concrete. Hundreds of President Saied’s supporters gathered outside UGTT's headquarters, accusing the union of “corruption” and “squandering the people’s money,” following a disruptive transport strike. Saied publicly backed the demonstrators and demanded accountability from the UGTT.

With these developments, the stage is set for the UGTT’s August 21 protest—an unprecedented, high-stakes demonstration in the capital.

4. Eroding Power, Emerging Rival

Analysts argue the UGTT’s decline is partly self-inflicted. Its internal rifts and erosion of public trust have made it easier for Saied to push reforms—such as revising the labour code without consulting the union.

Meanwhile, rival factions are rising. The government has moved to strip UGTT officials of their state-paid positions and is backing the Union of Tunisian Workers (UTT)—a competing union reportedly eyeing UGTT’s weakened footing.

5. What This Means for Tunisia

This confrontation goes beyond a union protest—it marks a potential turning point in Tunisia’s political trajectory. The UGTT now embodies one of the last independent institutions that could mobilize resistance. If it continues to falter, Saied—and a centralized, populist model of governance—may tighten control further.

Final Thoughts

The battle unfolding between the UGTT and the Saied administration is not just a political standoff—it is a test of Tunisia’s democratic resilience. The outcome of the Augustus 21 protest could signal whether Tunisia moves toward deeper authoritarianism or reclaims democratic pluralism through civil resistance.