Tunisia’s President Sacks Prime Minister Amid Political and Economic Turmoil

 

Tunisian President Kais Saied has dismissed Prime Minister Kamel Madouri, appointing former Public Works Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri as his replacement. The announcement, made on Friday, marks yet another government reshuffle under Saied, who has frequently restructured his administration since consolidating power in 2021.

Zaafrani, 62, becomes Tunisia’s second female prime minister, stepping into office at a time of severe economic distress. With unemployment soaring, economic growth stagnating, and national debt reaching 80% of GDP, the country faces mounting financial challenges. Saied has urged his new leadership team to implement swift reforms and eliminate bureaucratic roadblocks to progress.

Beyond economic concerns, Tunisia is grappling with heightened political tensions. Dozens of opposition figures, activists, and journalists have been jailed on charges of conspiring against the state, drawing condemnation from the United Nations and human rights organizations. Critics warn that Tunisia’s democratic freedoms are under threat as Saied continues to crack down on dissent.

Saied, re-elected in 2024 with over 90% of the vote but a low voter turnout of under 30%, maintains that his leadership is essential to rooting out corruption and inefficiency. However, opposition voices argue that his actions have weakened democratic institutions and deepened political instability.

With persistent shortages of essential goods and continued economic struggles, Zaafrani faces a formidable task in her new role.