Kais Saied, the President of Tunisia, has formally summoned European Union (EU) ambassador Giuseppe Perrone to issue a diplomatic protest following a meeting between the envoy and leaders of the country’s major trade‑union UGTT and employers’ union UTICA.

The UGTT and UTICA were among the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize laureates credited for facilitating Tunisia’s democratic transition. The presidency accused the ambassador of violating diplomatic protocol by engaging with civil‑society actors outside of what it described as “official frameworks.” The EU responded by noting that dialogue with civil society  including trade unions is standard diplomatic practice and argued such engagement can strengthen bilateral cooperation and social dialogue.

This confrontation adds to growing tensions in Tunisia, where protests demanding social justice have amplified amid a broader clampdown on civil‑society groups and dissenting voices under Saied’s administration.