President Kais Saied hosted a national dialogue in Tunisia on Saturday with the main political parties conspicuously absent from the programme.
The session on Saturday had representatives from the Tunisian Union of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA), National Union of Tunisian Women and Tunisian Human Rights Leagues in attendance. There were also four political parties at the event including the People’s Movement and the Popular Current.
The nation’s most popular party Ennahda Party, the Social Democratic Path Party, and Afek Tounes Party all snubbed the dialogue. Tunisia’s labour union, one of the most powerful pressure groups in the country was also absent from the event.
According to the Tunisian local media, the first session will have participant finalising on the calendar of upcoming meetings, including economic and social issues that may affect the country and the nation.
Saied was voted President in 2021 and has become globally popular for his highhanded moves, including dismissing the government and suspending parliament. He took over the nation’s executive control and single-handedly ruled. His main opposition, including the Ennahda party described the move as a coup.
Lawmakers had held a session to revoke his extreme measures in March and he dismissed the parliament on getting wind of the move.
Saied sacked 57 judges earlier in the week in a move that has been condemned internationally. He cited corruption for his action.