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Only 11.2% of the country's eligible voters participated in the
election last week. UGTT leader Noureddine Taboubi said the huge
boycott shows the frustration and despair of Tunisians.
The UGTT union claims to have more than a million members and
has previously paralysed the economy with its strikes.
While it backed Saied when he seized most powers last year by
shutting the elected parliament, the union has emerged as his
fierce critic as he moved to rule by decree and wrote a new
constitution that was passed this summer in a referendum.
"It is time for civil society and national organizations, to
play their national role...today the silence is a crime... We
will not let you mess with the country and we will not be afraid
of prisons.", Taboubi said.
Tunisians are also reeling with a financial crisis amid surging
inflation, rising unemployment and a shortage of basic food
products.
"Today the time is running, and if you do not understand the
message, the people will say their word through peaceful
struggle," he said.
After the low turnout in elections, major parties such as the
Salvation Front, which includes the Islamist Ennahda party and
its arch-rival the Free Constitutional Party, said Saied should
step down, calling for massive protests.
(Reporting by Tarek Amara; Editing by Arun Koyyur)
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