Tunisian President Kais Saied rejected Prime Minister Kamel Madouri, who was replaced by former Public Works Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri as the country struggled amid economic and political turmoil. The president’s announcement Friday was another government reshuffle under Saied, who has repeatedly reorganized his cabinet since he consolidated his power in 2021.
Zaafrani, 62, became Tunisia’s second female prime minister and was in office during a period of deep financial pressure, with slow growth, high unemployment and debt levels now at 80% of GDP. The president stressed the need for more effective governance and urged officials to remove obstacles to progress.
The move comes as political tensions intensified, with dozens of opposition figures, activists and journalists sentenced to jail for conspiracy to oppose the country. The United Nations and rights groups criticized Said’s government’s crackdown on dissent, warning of the decline in democracy and freedom.
Saied, who was reelected in 2024 with more than 90% of the vote but had a turnout below 30%, defended his leadership for the necessary conditions to combat corruption and inefficiency. However, critics argue that his rule weakened the system and exacerbated instability.
Tunisians continue to face economic difficulties, shortages of basic commodities and minimal economic growth. With Zaafrani taking on her new role, everyone will pay attention to whether she can bring stability or whether the political and economic struggles in Tunisia will deepen further.
