Tunisian President Kais Saied has summoned the European Union ambassador to the country in protest over a recent meeting between the EU’s top diplomat and the head of Tunisia’s largest trade union, the UGTT. Saied accused the ambassador of breaching diplomatic protocol after EU Ambassador Giuseppe Perrone met with UGTT leader Noureddine Taboubi earlier this week.
The diplomatic spat comes at a time of rising tensions between Tunisia’s government and civil society, particularly with the UGTT, a powerful organization representing one million members. Perrone’s meeting with Taboubi on Monday highlighted the union’s role in Tunisia’s 2015 Nobel Peace Prize win and emphasized the EU’s ongoing support for the country’s civil society.
However, President Saied strongly objected to the meeting, claiming that the EU ambassador had bypassed official diplomatic channels. The Tunisian presidency issued a statement on Wednesday, expressing concern over what it called the failure to adhere to diplomatic norms.
The UGTT has been vocal in its criticism of the government, particularly over restrictions on trade union rights and the suspension of agreements with authorities. The union has also threatened to call for a nationwide strike in defense of its rights, amid a growing economic and political crisis in Tunisia.
This latest diplomatic row is part of a broader pattern of increasing friction between Tunisia’s government and international partners, especially regarding the treatment of opposition groups and civil society organizations. The EU, which has been Tunisia’s largest trading partner for years, has continued to express support for the country’s civil society despite the mounting tensions.
As protests grow within Tunisia, including from opposition groups, unions, and even professionals like journalists and doctors, the situation remains tense. The EU’s role in Tunisia’s political landscape continues to be scrutinized as the country navigates its deepening crisis.
