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Maghreb leaders face a growing challenge from unions

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NORTH AFRICA

Since President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s ouster in April, the military-dominated interim authorities have sought to shore up their own position, including by managing the…

Unions could hamper new Tunisian unity government

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TUNISIA

Representatives of leading political parties and the two largest labour unions are negotiating proposals for a unity government. President Beji Caid Essebsi accused the ruling…

Lebanon’s new labour unionism could affect May polls

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LEBANON

The GCLW is the traditional umbrella organisation for Lebanese trade unions, but has long been seen as too close to the political authorities. It has been increasingly outflanked…

Tunisian labour union may seek direct political power

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TUNISIA

Exacerbated by terrorism and political feuding between Islamist and secular parties, economic difficulties have provided the powerful UGTT with an opportunity to exert more…

Diversifying Gulf economies will spur labour politics

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GULF STATES

As GCC countries push for privatisation, while also nationalising the labour force, the prospect of citizens becoming increasingly willing to resort to strikes cannot be…

Beleaguered Jordan will squeeze opposition space

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JORDAN

This comes following high tensions with teachers, who engaged in a series of widespread protests after the Attorney-General ordered the closure of the Teachers' Union and forcible…

Algeria's energy wealth will help weaken the Hirak

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ALGERIA

The COVID-19 pandemic and energy revenues in 2021-22 allowed Algerian authorities effectively to weaken the Hirak movement -- the large-scale popular protests that demanded the…

Lebanese protest leaders will struggle for control

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LEBANON

On the previous day, an all-party meeting called to manage the fallout from earlier protests in mid-June that turned into sectarian clashes failed because it was boycotted by key…

Tunisia’s democratic transition will struggle

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TUNISIA

This follows former Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa’s announcement on March 29 of a new, non-ideological party that includes technocrats and former ministers -- the Alternative Party…

Tunisia's economic challenges show no sign of abating

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TUNISIA

The economic situation is challenging: unemployment was 16.4% in the fourth quarter of 2023, and work and business opportunities are limited. The government has avoided a debt…