In a move that has raised eyebrows in international financial circles, Tunisia’s President Kais Saied dismissed Economy and Planning Minister Samir Saied on Wednesday. The minister, a strong proponent of the stalled $1.9 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) rescue scheme, has seen his duties temporarily transferred to the Finance Ministry.
The dismissal followed his representation of Tunisia at the IMF and World Bank meetings in Marrakech, where discussions surrounding the country’s economic situation were held. The North African nation has been grappling with substantial economic challenges after the Arab Spring uprising in 2011.
A preliminary agreement for an IMF bailout was reached last year, but the government has yet to implement spending reductions and other austerity measures to secure the lender’s final approval. These measures have been a source of contention between President Saied and Minister Saied.
President Saied has expressed skepticism over the agreement, dismissing the IMF’s calls for cost-cutting as impoverishing “foreign diktats”. This stance has led to friction with Minister Saied, who has consistently advocated for the deal.
The TAP News Agency reported earlier this week that an IMF delegation is expected to visit Tunisia in December. The visit is sparking expectations of finalizing the program, which could bring much-needed financial relief to the struggling nation. However, with the ousting of Minister Saied, who was a key figure in these negotiations, it remains to be seen how this development will affect Tunisia’s relationship with the IMF and the progress of the rescue scheme.
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