🇹🇳TunisiaNorth Africa
Tunisian Interior Minister announces municipal reform focused on accountability amid institutional uncertainty
via Business News3 min read
Tunisian municipalities remain in institutional limbo two years after their dissolution by decree. Interior Minister Khaled Nouri announced on Monday, April 27, 2026, during a hearing at the National Council of Regions and Districts, that a new organic law for municipalities is being drafted. This law aims to introduce accountability mechanisms and monitoring of municipal council activities, marking a departure from past practices. Nouri emphasized that municipal action evaluation will now be based on completed projects rather than administrative or relational considerations, and municipal elections should not be seen as merely political events. This move follows the dissolution of all municipal councils elected in 2018 by decree-law on March 8, 2023, which ended a fragile local democratic experiment. Mayors were dismissed, and special delegations under the Ministry of Interior took over municipal management, creating a prolonged electoral void. The current context is marked by persistent uncertainty in local governance, as illustrated by the recent decision of the local council of Tunis City to refer a dossier on stalled municipal projects to the Presidency of the Republic and the public prosecutor. This situation highlights tensions and dysfunctions, with calls to escalate blockages directly to the state's highest level, bypassing traditional institutional channels. Municipalities operate within a provisional administrative framework with limited autonomy, particularly budg
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The Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries has announced the cereal reception prices for the 2026 season, as part of preparations for the harvest collection and storage period. According to a statement released on Thursday, June 11, 2026, the prices are set as follows: durum wheat at 140 dinars per quintal, including an early delivery bonus of 40 dinars per quintal; soft wheat at 110 dinars per quintal, including an early delivery bonus of 30 dinars per quintal; and barley and triticale at 90 dinars per quintal, including an early delivery bonus of 25 dinars per quintal. Producers of barley and triticale will receive this bonus if they deliver their production by July 15, 2026. For durum wheat and soft wheat, the deadline for the early delivery bonus is August 31, 2026.
Must ReadThe World Bank has lowered its global economic growth forecast for 2026 to 2.5%, down from 2.9% in 2025. This would mark the slowest growth rate since the COVID-19 pandemic, excluding periods of global recession. In its global economic outlook report published on Thursday, June 11, 2026, the international institution cautioned against increasing risks to economic activity, citing geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainties. The World Bank noted that it has reduced growth forecasts for nearly two-thirds of the world's economies compared to estimates released last January. This revision reflects a more complex international environment characterized by a slowdown in global trade, more cautious investments, and weakened economic confidence. According to the institution, economic prospects are deteriorating in both developed countries and several emerging economies, although the latter are expected to continue to show relatively higher growth rates. A key risk factor identified by the World Bank is the escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The institution believes that continued or worsening conflict could significantly impact global markets, particularly through rising energy prices and disruptions to supply chains. These developments could exacerbate inflationary pressures and further hinder economic recovery in several regions worldwide. The report also highlights a slowdown in private investment, penalized by persistent uncertainty. Businesses remain cautious due to ge
Must ReadThe National Union of Tunisian Journalists SNJT has condemned the continued use of Decree-Law No. 54, related to combating information and communication system offenses, to prosecute journalists, media professionals, and individuals expressing critical opinions. The union stated on Thursday, June 11, 2026, that this practice seriously threatens press freedom and freedom of expression, fostering a climate of fear and self-censorship. The latest case involves journalist Khaoula Boukrim, director of "Tunisia Media" news site, who was sentenced in absentia to four years in prison with immediate execution. According to the SNJT, these convictions stem from two cases initiated by the Public Prosecutor at the Tunis 1 Court of First Instance, following critical publications about public policies on Facebook. The SNJT expressed deep concern over the judicial handling of cases involving journalists, citing a lack of fair trial guarantees, defense rights, and timely notification of judicial decisions. The union views the toughening of prison sentences for journalists based on their opinions or journalistic work as a clear violation of constitutional and international guarantees of freedom of expression and press freedom. The SNJT reiterated its opposition to Decree-Law No. 54 in publication and expression cases, arguing that media content disputes should be handled under Decree-Law No. 115 on press, printing, and publishing freedom, in line with international standards. The union called