Appointment of New Finance Minister Ushers in Cabinet Reshuffle

Newly appointed Minister of Finance Elyes Fakhfakh

A cabinet reshuffle has begun to take shape yesterday with the appointment of Elyes Fakhfakh as minister of finance.

The nomination of Fakhfakh, the current minister of tourism and member of Ettakatol party, was made yesterday by Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali.

He will carry on “for the time being” his duties at the head of the Ministry of Tourism as well, a communiqué from the prime minister’s office announced.

Slim Besbes is the outgoing caretaker finance minister – a position he assumed following the resignation of former Finance Minister Houcine Dimassi on July 27.

This is the first cabinet reshuffle since December 22, 2011.

In a statement given to Mosaique FM, Minister of Foreign Affairs Rafik Abdessalem denied rumors that Hedi Ben Abbes, deputy foreign affairs minister in charge of the U.S. and Asia, and Samir Dilou, minister of transitional justice and human rights, are under consideration as potential replacements for his position.

“The reshuffle will be partial and will not affect the most significant ministries,” stated Abdessalem in the same statement.

Yesterday’s cabinet shuffle was accompanied by news that the Wafa Movement political party may join the government.

Nasser Brahmi, a National Constituent Assembly member affiliated with Wafa Movement, confirmed to Tunisia Live that the party was invited to form part of the government and that Wafa Movement founder Abderraouf Ayadi is to be the new minister of justice.

“We can join the coalition and take part of the government only if it takes into consideration our projects for reform. Our aim is not political positions or fame, but rather the reform of the national state of things,” claimed Brahmi.