Tunisia Central Bank May Be Target of President’s Power Grab

  • Proposals are underway to curb reserve lender’s independence
  • Tunisia’s president is wary of plans for an IMF bailout

President Kais Saied

Photographer: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
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Tunisia plans to curb the independence of its central bank under reforms proposed by the government of President Kais Saied, threatening to further complicate progress toward securing a bailout from the International Monetary Fund.

The changes, expected to be reviewed by an assembly largely beholden to Saied, would add Banque Centrale de Tunisie to a growing list of institutions undermined since the 65-year-old assumed vast powers in 2021, including the judiciary and election commission.