President Kais Saied Receives Prime Minister Sarra Zaâfrani Zenzri to Discuss Government Progress
The President of the Republic, Kais Saied, received Prime Minister Sarra Zaâfrani Zenzri on November 24 at the Carthage Palace to examine the progress of government action.
Press Review — This meeting comes as the Assembly of People's Representatives continues to review the state budget for 2026, with several deputies expressing criticism about the pace of reforms and administrative delays.
Officials Urged to Adapt to the Pace of Reforms Indeed, during the budget debates, many elected officials pointed out the slow implementation of projects, the persistence of bureaucratic obstacles, and the lack of responsiveness from certain ministries. They called for accelerating reforms, modernizing management mechanisms, and boosting investment.
These remarks, relayed in the hemicycle, reflect growing expectations towards the executive. It must be said that some of our decision-makers are still struggling to break with outdated practices and are stuck in outdated reflexes. They are unable to keep pace with the major reforms that are urgently needed. Firmly committed to the aspirations of the people and closely following government action, Kais Saied did not fail to remind the Prime Minister of the need for rigorous management in line with national priorities during their meeting. He emphasized the "need for all public officials, regardless of their level and responsibilities, to exercise their functions in respect of the Constitution of July 25, 2022, and taking into account the legitimate expectations of the population." Responsibilities, he stressed, should never be considered as privileges, but as a mission requiring integrity and total commitment. Some officials seem to still be unaware that, since 2021, Tunisia has entered a new phase of its history, and no excuse can justify their failure to respond to the legitimate aspirations of citizens for a dignified life.
Any attempt to shirk or disengage from this mission risks justifying their removal, as there is no longer room for hesitation or for those who do not conform to the principles of this Tunisia determined to break with the past and bet on its young talents.
Course Maintained, Without Backtracking
In the same context, the Head of State also warned those who attempt to turn back the clock by resorting to circumstantial alliances that only serve the interests of those who have taken the aspirations of young people hostage since 2011. This is how he pointed out "behaviors and practices contrary to the national interest." He referred to the actions of actors seeking to "weaken institutions, disrupt the functioning of the state, or form opportunistic alliances unrelated to the real aspirations of the people." Kais Saied recalled that "the law allows for qualifying and sanctioning these deviations, particularly in cases of mismanagement or exploitation of public resources." We all remember the opportunistic alliances that were formed between certain political parties during the "dark decade," alliances that largely sacrificed the national interest, plunging the country into chaos, over-indebtedness, and the rise of terrorism. Tunisia, usually perceived as a haven of peace and religious coexistence, had become a playground for terrorist groups at that time, under the passive gaze of most Western countries.
The memory of this period must remain vivid. This Monday, November 24, 2025, the country commemorates the tragic attack that occurred on November 24, 2015, on Mohamed V Avenue in Tunis, targeting a bus carrying members of the Presidential Guard. The explosion claimed the lives of 12 agents, forever marking the national memory and recalling the importance of fighting against the forgetfulness of the dark decade. Tunisia cannot therefore go back on the path of its reforms and social justice. At these times, and for certain parties, striving to defend the indefensible is equivalent to getting lost, just like blindly allying with those who led the state astray, those who plunged the country into chaos, wasted its resources, and sold its sovereignty for a few dollars. As the Head of State announced, public responsibility implies strict accountability, and the state will continue to ensure the protection of the general interest, transparency, and respect for citizens' rights, while remaining vigilant in the face of opportunistic alliances. Despite attempts to divert attention, the course set by Carthage remains unshakeable and unchanged.
