Labor Day in Tunisia Exposes Deep Political Divide Between Supporters and Opponents of President Saied
Calls for a Third Term Clash with Demands to Overthrow the Regime, Free Political Prisoners, and Address Economic Hardship.
Watan-Labor Day in Tunisia turned into a platform for both supporters and opponents of President Kais Saied to voice their political demands. Crowds took to the streets with contrasting messages—some calling for a third presidential term, others demanding the overthrow of the regime, the release of political detainees, and urgent improvements to living conditions.
In downtown Tunis, hundreds of Saied supporters marched in front of the Municipal Theater on Revolution Street (Avenue Habib Bourguiba), chanting slogans like:
-
“The people want Kais again”
-
“The people want construction and development”
-
“No to foreign interference”
-
“Tunisia is not for sale”
Reda Chihab El Mekki, a former member of Saied’s election campaign, stated, “This movement coincides with other opposition demonstrations and reflects Tunisia’s mosaic of diverse opinions, a testament to true democracy and freedom.”
Meanwhile, opposition parties, civil society groups, and labor unions held their own demonstrations across the capital. A large gathering took place outside the Administrative Court, demanding the release of lawyer and former judge Ahmed Souab, detained in connection with a “conspiracy against state security”. Protesters chanted:
-
“The people want to overthrow the regime”
-
“Injustice is the beginning of the end”
-
“You called him a terrorist… Free Ahmed Souab!”
Imed Khemiri, spokesperson for Ennahda Movement and a member of the National Salvation Front, declared: “This protest stands for rights and freedoms. We demand the immediate release of all political prisoners and an end to the silencing of opposition voices.”
Other slogans included:
-
“Jobs, freedom, national dignity”
-
“Kais, you’re a pharaoh, a fraud of the law”
-
“Shame on the government… Prices are on fire!”
At the UGTT headquarters (Tunisian General Labor Union), thousands of trade unionists gathered to celebrate Labor Day, demanding wage increases and denouncing soaring prices and the declining quality of life.
UGTT Secretary-General Noureddine Taboubi condemned the suppression of dissent, particularly the imprisonment of youth over social media posts. He stressed:
“Tunisia belongs to everyone. No side owns the truth. Everyone must reflect and reform for the nation’s salvation. We do not outbid anyone in patriotism, and no one should outbid us. Denial of global geopolitical and economic shifts will only lead to worse outcomes.”
