Tunisia’s president dismisses prime minister ahead of elections

Tunisian President Kais Saied has removed Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani from his position, replacing him with Kamel Madouri, the former Minister of Social Affairs.

The official reason for Hachani's dismissal has not been disclosed. Hachani, who had been in office since August 1 of the previous year, was appointed following the removal of Najla Bouden, who was also dismissed without explanation, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Hachani had recently highlighted government achievements, including progress in addressing global challenges such as securing the nation’s food and energy needs. Despite this, his removal comes at a politically sensitive time, just before Tunisia’s October 6 presidential election, in which Saied is seeking re-election.

The sacking occurs amidst widespread dissatisfaction over persistent water and electricity shortages, which the government attributes to a severe drought. However, Saied has claimed that the shortages are part of a conspiracy against him, asserting that the country’s dams are sufficiently full. In contrast, the agriculture ministry reports that dam levels are critically low, at just 25 per cent.

The political climate in Tunisia remains tense, with Saied facing criticism for his consolidation of power since 2021 and for his treatment of opposition figures. Recent developments include the sentencing of lawyer Abir Moussi, a prominent critic of Saied, to two years in prison under a contentious cybercrime law. This move is seen as part of a broader crackdown on dissent and political opposition.

Since his election in 2019, Saied has altered the constitution to establish a presidential regime with diminished parliamentary powers, further consolidating his control over the country’s political landscape.