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Tunisian president dismissed Kais Saied Wednesday Prime Minister Ahmed Al HashaniAnd he was replaced by the Minister of Social Affairs, Kamal Al-Madouri.
The presidency said in a statement that “President of the Republic Kais Saied received this Wednesday afternoon at Carthage Palace, Mr. Kamal Madouri, Minister of Social Affairs, and decided to assign him to head the government, succeeding Mr. Ahmed El Hachani.”
Al-Madouri is the former head of the National Social Security Fund (governmental), and took over the Ministry of Social Affairs last May, succeeding Malek Al-Zahi, who was dismissed along with Interior Minister Kamal Al-Faqi.
On Wednesday, Al-Hashani published a statement about the meetings held at the government headquarters, especially regarding the deteriorating economic situation.
It is worth noting that Al-Hashemi was appointed Prime Minister on August 1, 2023, after the termination of the duties of the former Prime Minister, Najla Bouden.
Al-Hashani is known as a retired statesman from the world of finance and business, and has not been involved in politics, according to local media.
Al-Hashemi's dismissal comes as the country prepares for a controversial presidential election.
Urgent | Tunisian Presidency: The President assigns Minister of Social Affairs Kamal Madouri to head the government, succeeding Ahmed El Hachani#Aljazeera live | #Tunisia pic.twitter.com/EpFGBa5Tku
– Al Jazeera Mubasher (@ajmubasher) August 7, 2024
Saied, who was elected in October 2019, monopolized all powers three years ago, as he dismissed his prime minister at the time and suspended the work of parliament, which was later dissolved.
After adopting a new constitution that strengthened his powers and electing a new parliament with very limited powers, Saied recently announced that he is seeking a second term in the presidential elections to be held on October 6.
Days ago, a Tunisian court sentenced four potential presidential candidates to eight months in prison and banned them from running for office for life, in a move they said was “aimed at eliminating new competitors” for President Saied.
The four potential candidates are accused of “buying endorsements,” and those sentenced are: prominent politician Abdel Latif Al-Makki, activist Nizar Al-Shaari, judge Murad Masoudi, and candidate Adel Al-Daw.
The ruling has heightened concerns among opposition parties, candidates and rights groups who have accused authorities of using “arbitrary restrictions” and “intimidation to pave the way for Saied's re-election.”
