Tunisian President Replaces Prime Minister Amid Leadership Turmoil

Kais Saied dismisses Kamel Madouri, appoints Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri as Tunisia faces deep economic and political challenges.

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.