Overview

• President Kais Saied dismissed Prime Minister Kamel Madouri overnight and replaced him with Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri, who was previously Minister of Equipment.
• Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri becomes Tunisia's second female Prime Minister, following Najla Bouden, and brings extensive experience in civil engineering and public infrastructure.
• The dismissal reflects Saied's dissatisfaction with government performance as Tunisia grapples with low economic growth, high unemployment, and significant national debt.
• Kais Saied has centralized power under an ultra-presidential regime since 2021, with frequent leadership changes and limited tolerance for opposition.
• The political climate remains tense, with numerous opposition figures imprisoned, while stalled IMF negotiations exacerbate Tunisia's financial crisis.