In a significant government shake-up, Tunisian President Kais Saied has dismissed Finance Minister Sihem Boughdiri Nemsia and appointed Michket Slama Khaldi, a magistrate, as her successor. The announcement was made via the presidency’s Facebook page, accompanied by images of Khaldi taking the oath of office.
The presidency did not provide specific reasons for the dismissal. However, Tunisia has been grappling with economic difficulties, including sporadic shortages of essential commodities such as milk, sugar, and flour over the past two years. More recently, there has been a scarcity of domestic gas cylinders, widely used for cooking and heating.
Michket Slama Khaldi previously led a national commission focused on recovering embezzled public funds, indicating a potential shift towards addressing financial mismanagement within the government. 
This leadership change comes as Tunisia faces mounting fiscal challenges, including a severe public finance crisis that has led to shortages of key commodities. In response, the government has implemented measures such as raising taxes on middle- and high-income earners and borrowing directly from the central bank to meet urgent debt obligations.
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The appointment of Khaldi, who has been heading the Criminal Reconciliation Committee since last year, suggests a renewed focus on combating corruption and recovering state funds. The committee was established to negotiate settlements with businessmen accused of corruption in exchange for the return of embezzled funds to the state.
As Tunisia navigates these economic challenges, the new finance minister’s approach to fiscal policy and anti-corruption efforts will be closely monitored by both domestic and international stakeholders.
