The Global EyeThe shock that followed the July 25 power grab by President Kais Saied is gone, and Tunisians now wake up to one of the most dangerous economic crises since independence.
Because everything is politicised in Tunisia, people like to harangue about who is responsible for the collapse of the country’s economy rather than understand its real causes and discuss the best solutions to save it.
Analysis: How Tunisia reached financial meltdown | Business and Economy News | Al Jazeera
The moderate Islamist Ennahda party, Tunisia’s largest party in parliament, issued a statement Oct. 14 rejecting the new government headed by Najla Bouden. “It’s a de facto government of the unconstitutional Decree 117,” in reference to the order issued by President Kais Saied on Sept. 22, which put the executive and legislative powers in his hands.
When Najla Bouden was pronounced Tunisia’s first female prime minister in a decree by President Kais Saied on Sept. 29, her appointment was initially heralded as a milestone in Arab politics.
Bouden is the first female prime minister not only in Tunisia but in the wider Arabic world. Until now, she will be joined by nine more female ministers in the 25-member cabinet. However, she will not have the executive control that previous heads of government wielded. Executive, legislative and judicial powers lie firmly in the hands of Saied under another decree made Sept. 22.
Tunisia’s Central Bank is in “advanced talks” with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to obtain financial aid for the cash-strapped country, a senior banker has confirmed.
Abdelkarim Lassoued, the head of financing and foreign transactions at the Tunisian regulator, told local Shams FM radio on Friday that an agreement with the two Gulf states may be reached soon.
Tunisia in ‘advanced talks’ with Saudi Arabia, UAE for financial aid | Middle East Eye
A Tunisian lawmaker has been taken into custody after a court ordered his arrest on Sunday over tax fraud and money laundering charges.
Mehdi Ben Gharbia, a businessman, former minister and member of the secular opposition party Tahya Tounes, is the latest parliamentarian to be apprehended since President Kais Saied lifted parliamentary immunity and seized control of legislative and executive powers.
Tunisian court jails lawmaker over corruption charges | News | Al Jazeera
The rating agency Moody’s has recently downgraded Tunisia’s sovereign rating from B3 to Caa1, while maintaining the negative outlook.
In an Oct. 14 statement, Moody’s said the negative outlook “reflects the risks associated with possible delays in the implementation of reforms as well as the financing which depends on them, which would lead to the melting of foreign exchange reserves.”
Tunisia’s political crisis forewarns economic collapse – Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East
Tunisia’s President Kais Saied has said he will withdraw the diplomatic passport of one of his predecessors, Moncef Marzouki, after the latter urged France to end its support for the North African country under the former’s leadership.
Saied is under strong international pressure, especially from Western powers, to announce a clear road map for a return to constitutional politics after seizing a wide range of powers in late July.
Tunisia’s Saied withdraws diplomatic passport of predecessor | News | Al Jazeera
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has declared support for the measures taken by Tunisian President Kais Saied on July 25, the highest such endorsement to come from Egypt.
During a phone conversation with the Tunisian president on Oct. 6, Sisi said these measures would create a better future for Tunisia’s people.
Sisi backs emergency measures by Tunisian president – Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East
Tunisia has a new prime minister, the first woman in the Arab world to hold the job. She is replacing the prime minister whom President Kais Saied sacked in July, when he suspended parliament. Many Tunisians, fed up with political parties and an economic crisis, thought that was the right move – but others called it a coup, and the question has lingered. As Saied continues to consolidate power, are these steps off the road to democracy, or will they make Tunisia’s democracy stronger?