Tunisia’s most influential labor organization, the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), has appointed a new leadership team to navigate a period of intense internal division and growing friction with the state.
Following a three-day congress held in Monastir from March 25 to 27, 2026, the union announced that Slaheddine Selmi has been appointed as the new Secretary General. Selmi, who previously served as Deputy Secretary General, succeeds Noureddine Tabboubi, the union’s leader since 2017. This transition occurs at a fragile moment, as a vocal faction of the membership has openly challenged the previous leadership over concerns regarding transparency and organizational governance.
These internal tensions reached a boiling point in late 2025 and early 2026, characterized by brief resignations and fresh protests that erupted even as the Monastir congress began. Selmi inherits an institution that, while a co-recipient of the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize for its role in Tunisia’s democratic transition, is currently struggling to maintain its historical footing. The union’s public image and internal cohesion have been severely tested, with former leadership describing the organization’s current state as resilient yet currently weakened by internal “flu.”
The UGTT’s internal struggles are unfolding within an increasingly hostile political environment. Relations between the union and President Kais Saied have deteriorated sharply since 2021. Although the UGTT initially offered conditional support for the president’s political roadmap, Saied has since distanced himself from the labor giant, at times publicly backing demonstrators calling for the removal of union leadership. This political pressure has also taken a financial turn, as the union recently denounced a government decision to challenge the automatic check-off system for union dues, a move seen by activists as an attempt to diminish the UGTT’s leverage in national social dialogue.
Founded in 1946, the UGTT has been a cornerstone of Tunisian political and social life from the colonial era through the 2011 revolution. This leadership transition marks an uncertain new chapter for the institution. Its future influence in Tunisian society will depend heavily on Selmi’s ability to restore unity within the ranks and redefine the union’s role in a rapidly shifting and challenging political landscape.
MK/AK/Sf/lb/abj/APA