Tunisia: president Saied appoints Zenzri as new Prime Minister

Tunisian President Kais Saied has appointed Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri as the new head of government, marking the second female prime minister in Tunisia and North Africa.

According to The New Arab, the announcement, made in the early hours of March 21st, follows the dismissal of Kamel Madouri — the fourth such replacement since Saied assumed power in 2021. Zenzri, a 62-year-old veteran civil servant with 36 years of experience in the Ministry of Equipment and Housing, has been tasked with “reinforcing government coordination” and addressing public concerns.

Madouri’s dismissal came days after he met with the EU ambassador to discuss expanding financial aid, clashing with Saied’s hardline stance on foreign assistance. Tunisia faces mounting economic challenges, with public debt over 80% of GDP and high unemployment. Saied’s continued reshuffling of leadership comes amid growing political fatigue and deepening economic crisis.

The New Arab