Tunisian President Kais Saied dismissed Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani on Wednesday, just a year into his tenure.
Saied appointed Kamel Maddouri, the Minister of Social Affairs, as the new Prime Minister, according to a presidential statement.
Hours before his dismissal, Hachani claimed in a video message that the government had made progress despite challenges with high food and energy prices. The dismissal comes amid widespread discontent over water and electricity outages across the country.
The government blames these issues on a severe drought, leading to water rationing. The agriculture ministry reports that dam levels are critically low at 25 percent, while Saied views the water shortages as a conspiracy against him, asserting that the dams are actually full.
Saied has announced his intention to run for president in October, facing strong opposition and criticism from human rights organizations and rivals who accuse him of suppressing and intimidating opponents to secure a second term.