Tunisian Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi conducted a ministerial reshuffle that included 11 ministers, among them the Ministers of Interior and Justice.
During a press conference at the government palace in Kasbah on Saturday evening, Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi announced the ministerial reshuffle in his government, indicating that this change maintains the same philosophy of the government, which is a government of independent competencies supported by a political alliance. The reshuffle included 11 ministerial portfolios, with Youssef Zouaghi appointed as the Minister of Justice, Walid Al-Dahbi as the Minister of Interior, Abdul Latif Al-Maisawi as the Minister of State Properties and Real Estate Affairs, and Redha Ben Msbah as the Minister of Industry, Small and Medium Enterprises.
The reshuffle also affected the Ministry of Energy and Mines, which was taken over by Sofiane Ben Tnès, while Shahab Ben Ahmed became the Minister of Local Affairs and Environment. Youssef Fenira was appointed Minister of Vocational Training and Employment, Zakaria Belkhodja as the Minister of Youth and Sports, and Osama Al-Khriji as the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources.
Youssef Ben Ibrahim was appointed Minister of Culture and Heritage Valuation, while Hedi Khairi took over as the Minister of Public Health. The Prime Minister clarified that the position of Secretary of State for Finance and the Ministry of Relations with Constitutional Bodies have been eliminated.
Earlier today, President Kais Saied met with Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, emphasizing that the ministerial reshuffle should not succumb to any form of extortion or bargaining. He reminded that there was an agreement for the government to consist of members whose integrity cannot be questioned, stressing that there is no room for appointing individuals tied to legal cases, even if they haven't been resolved in court, especially since many cases have remained in courts for over a decade without resolution.
Following the meeting between Saied and Mechichi, the government presidency issued a statement mentioning that Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi would hold a live press briefing at 5 PM from the government palace in Kasbah to announce the changes in the government composition.
