Tunisia’s President Dismisses Minister

The office of Tunisia’s President Kais Saied announced on Thursday that Neila Nouira Gongi, the Minister of Industry, Energy, and Mines, has been dismissed from her position. No specific details were provided regarding the reason for her dismissal. Gongi had held the position since October 2021.

This announcement comes as the Tunisian government prepares to increase gas prices in the coming days. According to local media outlet Mozaique FM, Gongi had stated that the government is carefully evaluating alternative subsidy systems and considering the assumptions of its direction. She added that the dates for fuel price increases will be determined in the near future.

Tunisia is currently in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a $1.9 billion loan to supplement its national budget, which is facing a $2 billion deficit. However, the country’s powerful labor union, UGTT, has rejected the loan due to the attached conditions, including the removal of government subsidies on some key products.