Is the Union of Workers changing the equation in Tunisia?

Mohamed Ali Latifi - Tunisia

The announcement by the Tunisian General Union of Labor, the largest trade union in Tunisia, of its participation in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections later this year and its entry into the elections by an integrated program, or its bias towards parties close to it, has sparked controversy between welcome and reservation.

The Labor Union justified this move by the failure of the ruling parties to run the country for eight consecutive years since the January 2011 revolution, which justified its position on the decline of the economy and development, especially the high rate of unemployment among young Tunisians.

The reactions and assessments differed between what describes this decision as important and considers it to change the topography of the political map, and to create another who sees it as a bias aimed at injecting new blood into the body of the left-wing forces, which were exhausted by the differences.

Beshir al-Khulaifi, a representative of the Nahdha movement, said that this decision contradicts the foundations of the Union's union work as a long-standing popular organization, and that it is a clear confusion between union and political action, pointing out that the rules of the union will not be disciplined.

Despite these responses and the sharp criticism of the Union of Labor that he is working to become a political party, the leaders of the Union stressed that it will not remain idle, and will not commit neutrality in the upcoming elections.

The political analyst Shakib Darwish fears in his speech to Al-Jazeera Net that the possibility of the failure of the political party, which will be supported by the Union, the symbolism and historical image, and the major roles played in the removal of Tunisia from the crises experienced in various stations.

Political support
The sources exclude from the Labor Union the possibility of entering independent lists in the upcoming elections, which presumes the hypothesis that the trade union organization supports the political parties that adopt their projects and economic ideas, especially the parties that supported them in their social demands during the protests.

In this context, Assistant Secretary-General of the Union of Labor Hafiz Hafiz told Al-Jazeera Net that the Union is concerned with the upcoming elections and will depart from the position of neutrality it has taken in the previous benefits. He pointed out that the administrative body will soon announce an integrated program for the upcoming electoral entitlements.

For his part, said the former Assistant Secretary-General of the Union of Labor born Jendoubi that he is sure that the Union will participate in the upcoming elections support democratic political parties and progressive intersect with them in defense of social demands, pointing out that the Labor Union will have a prominent role in the next phase.

Al-Jendoubi expected Al-Jazeera Net to announce the union's centralization of a program or plan in the coming period to support the Popular Front or the newly formed "Tunisia Front" party, which supported him in protests against rising living conditions and demands for wage increases, The ruler who opposed these demands.

On the other hand, the leader of the party "the appeal of Tunisia," the ruling Manji al-Harbawi that the participation of the Labor Union or not will not change the nature of the political scene, because the Renaissance movement and the call of Tunisia will lead the results of elections, as happened in 2014, with the possibility of the emergence of the Democratic Alliance.

Union and failures
The critical position of the Labor Union, which observers say came to support the left-wing opposition coalition of the Popular Front, which suffered losses during the municipal and parliamentary elections that took place after the revolution, failed to assemble left-wing forces but offered itself an alternative to government.

Abdel-Jabbar Al-Madouri, former leader of the Labor Party, a member of the Popular Front, is likely to contribute to the strengthening of the political influence of the left-wing parties in the parliament.

Al-Mudouri believes that the labor union, which includes about one million people, can change the balance of the political game as a mass organization with social weight and a broad popular base.

Observers believe that the leaders counted on the Popular Front within the Labor Union represent a majority, and that these leaders are trying to make a difference in the results of the next election after the weak results achieved by the front, by trying to attract more voters.

Election paper
The green light of the entry of the Labor Union into the electoral camp marked the beginning of the confrontation between it and the Renaissance movement and the Tunis appeal, especially after the failure of the first and second Carthage documents. This will change the map of the political allies and reshuffle the political game.

In this context, the Popular Front MP Ayman al-Alawi describes the Labor Union as their strong ally, stressing that the Front is waiting for a positive attitude from the Union, especially after the homogeneity of positions in support of the demands and labor protests.

On the other hand, excluded leader of the Renaissance movement Mohammed bin Salim that the Popular Front - despite its active role and the main crucifixion of the Union - any unexpected results in the upcoming elections.

Ben Salem told Al Jazeera Net that the race for seats will be determined by the ballot boxes, not just calls for a political party at another expense.