Tunisian union opposes presidential preconditions for national dialogue

FILE PHOTO: Tunisian then-presidential candidate Kais Saied is pictured at his campaign headquarters in Tunis, Tunisia September 17, 2019. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed//File Photo

TUNIS (Reuters) - Tunisia's powerful UGTT union said on Wednesday that any national dialogue on proposed changes to the constitution must be without preconditions and not based on the results of public online consultations announced by President Kais Saied.

The position of UGTT, which has more than a million members and can shut down Tunisia's economy with strikes, broadens opposition to the president's plans to move forward with fundamental reforms without real dialogue.