Start of the march in Tunis for a free and dignified Tunisia

Thousands of Tunisian women and men responded to the call of nine national organizations, including the UGTT, SNJT, the Bar Association, the LTDH and the FTDES, for a protest march in Tunis on Saturday, October 17, 2026, under the unifying slogan: 'Tunisia first, the people first' (or 'Work, freedom, national dignity'). The gathering began in the morning in front of the headquarters of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) on Mohamed Ali Square, in the heart of the capital, and the crowd of protesters grew throughout the day, gathering in front of the municipal theater in Tunis. The peaceful march is proceeding without major incidents, and the chants denounced the current regime, embodied by President Kaïs Saïed's hyper-presidency, and his refusal of any political or social dialogue. Protesters are also opposing the worsening socio-economic and political situation, the erosion of public freedoms, and calling for judicial independence and the release of political prisoners. 'Tunisia first, the people first' 'Work, freedom, national dignity' ⚡ Key points ▸ Thousands of Tunisian women and men responded to the call of nine national organizations, including the UGTT, SN, the Bar Association, the LTDH and the FTDES, for a protest march in Tunis on Saturday, October 17, 2026, under the unifying slogan: 'Tunisia first, the people first' (or 'Work, freedom, national dignity'). ▸ The gathering began in the morning in front of the headquarters of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) on Mohamed Ali Square, in the heart of the capital, and the crowd of protesters grew throughout the day, gathering in front of the municipal theater in Tunis. ▸ The peaceful march is proceeding without major incidents, and the chants denounced the current regime, embodied by President Kaïs Saïed's hyper-presidency, and his refusal of any political or social dialogue.