Tunisia labour union chief calls for early elections, new electoral law

The head of Tunisia's leading trade union called on Tuesday for early parliamentary elections in the country and the drafting of a new electoral law.

After meeting with the new cabinet sworn in last month and led by the first Arab woman Prime Minister, Najla Bouden, General Labour Union Secretary-General Noureddine Al-Taboubi asked President Kais Saied to set a deadline for the preparations for the elections.

The UGTT chief stressed that there was "no returning to before 25 July", referring to when Saied seized control of the country after sacking the prime minister and dissolving parliament.

Saied's move has been considered a coup by rivals including the Islamist Ennahda party, which held a majority in the now-defunct legislator.

Al-Taboubi asked the president to unite all political parties in the country despite their differences, and that the solution to Tunisia's crisis must come from parties themselves and "not in the streets".

Police attacked protesters on Sunday as thousands of Tunisians demonstrating against Saied tried to march on the suspended parliament.

The UGTT has a strong influence in the North African country. Although it has not outright condemned Saied for his July move - described as a coup by opponents - it has called for swift action to mend political tensions and resolve the deepening economic and financial crisis.