Tunisia's union calls for early elections, says democratic gains are threatened

FILE PHOTO: The head of UGTT union, Noureddine Taboubi, speaks during a joint news conference with Minister of Employment Nasreddine Nsibi in Tunis, Tunisia November 15, 2021. REUTERS/Jihed Abidellaoui

TUNIS (Reuters) - Tunisia's powerful UGTT union called for early elections on Saturday, saying it was concerned for the country's democratic gains because of the president's reluctance to announce a roadmap for political reforms.

UGTT leader Noureddine Taboubi's comments, in a speech to thousands of his supporters, put more pressure on President Kais Saied, more than four months after he seized all political powers.