President Kais Saied fires Finance minister in surprise shake-up

In a challenging economic context, Tunisian President Kais Saied announced late Wednesday night the dismissal of Finance Minister Sihem Boughdiri Nemsia, replacing her with magistrate Michket Slama Khaldi. 

The announcement was made via a statement on the presidency’s Facebook page, without specifying the reasons for the change.

Images shared shortly after midnight show Michket Slama Khaldi taking the oath of office at the Carthage Palace. Before her appointment, she led the National Commission for Penal Reconciliation, an entity responsible for recovering embezzled public funds. Her experience in this field could be an asset in managing public finances as Tunisia faces a severe economic and budgetary crisis.

An Economy Under Pressure

Tunisia, heavily in debt, has experienced recurring shortages of essential goods in recent years, including milk, sugar, semolina, and flour. More recently, some regions have faced a shortage of household gas bottles, widely used for cooking and heating.

Amid this critical situation, the appointment of Michket Slama Khaldi as Finance Minister raises questions about the country's economic policies moving forward. 

The Tunisian government will need to strengthen financial stability, ensure the availability of essential goods, and address the growing challenges faced by its population.

This reshuffle comes in a tense political climate, as President Kais Saied continues to exert increased control over state institutions since his July 2021 power grab, when he suspended Parliament and dismissed the government.