Tunisian President Saied dismisses head of government
Tunisia's President Kais Saied has dismissed Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani. The former Minister of Social Affairs, Kamel Maddouri, has been appointed as his successor, according to the President's office. No further details on the reasons were initially provided. Hachani had been in office for a year.
The personnel change comes just a few months before the presidential election in Tunisia, scheduled for October 6. The country is grappling with an economic crisis and high unemployment rates.
President Saied has been consolidating his power in Tunisia in recent years, including through a controversial new constitution. He also dissolved parliament and oversaw the election of a new, significantly weakened parliament.
Once hailed as the only country to successfully transition to democracy after the Arab Spring uprisings in 2011, Tunisia is now facing criticism of a "democratic collapse" and an authoritarian government in a police state, where the rule of law and human rights are rapidly eroding.
The Head of Government role in Tunisia has now been transitioned to Kamel Maddouri, following President Kais Saied's dismissal of Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani. The upcoming presidential election on October 6 could bring additional changes to Tunisia's leadership amidst the country's ongoing economic crisis and high unemployment rates.
