On Sunday, President Kaïs Saïed fired his prime minister, froze the work of the National Assembly for 30 days and lifted the deputies’ immunity. However, one week after Tunisia, if the president has not yet appointed a new prime minister, Kaïs Saïed has been very active, while the economic horizon is still blocked and the epidemic is progressing.
With our special correspondent in Tunis, Charlotte Cosset
First, the president fired part of the government administration: his secretary general, as well as the chief of staff of the prime minister and his adviser. Other personalities were thanked as president of the General Martyrs Committee and Wounded of the Revolution or the director general of Tunisian television.
Throughout the week, the head of state has met the components of civil society: trade unions, journalists, legal councils and even women’s organizations. Meetings that gave reason to send a certain number of messages. Especially after receiving the employers. 460 businessmen accused of embezzlement are in his sight. He urged entrepreneurs to invest in the least developed regions of the country.
Finally, Kaïs Saïed was very active in diplomacy. He met with Algerian and Saudi foreign ministers at Carthage Palace. He also had a telephone conversation with the US Secretary of State. This week, the international community has multiplied its demands for respect for democracy and the rule of law in Tunisia.
Another activity for the Tunisian president, Covid. Several measures have been taken this week and a large amount of vaccines and medical equipment have been received.
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At the same time, Tunisia is also suffering from a serious economic crisis. The depression of the dinar and the national debt, which amounts to about 7% of its GDP, put a heavy strain on Tunisians’ wallets. The Covid-19 crisis also had major effects on various economic activities and tourism, representing more than 10% of GDP. Small traders have a hard time coping.
In this small pizzeria in Bardo, only one customer in the early afternoon. It’s been like this for weeks. Bashir no longer has a choice. The restaurant closes. “We can not pay the suppliers. It’s been going on for a year and a half because of Covid. And with what happens, they closed all the streets around our restaurant. We can not even pay the electricity bills. What we earn, we share it between us … We live from day to day. “
In Medina, same observation. There is no audience. Mohamed Ali sits and waits patiently for the client. A little further, Abd Satar says that he has lost 70% of his turnover. He owns his shop. Not everyone is so happy.
“There are already craftsmen who have closed their shops. Those who rented a small shop decided to quit. They can no longer pay their rent. ”
The pandemic has had a direct impact on tourism. The president announced new restrictions on Friday: a seven-day self-isolation for people coming from abroad …
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