President Kais Saied criticised when meeting with Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani on Wednesday the performance of the administration and public facilities, which he described as “strange and abnormal.”
He called on officials within the administration to assume their full responsibilities ‘otherwise they have no place in the state.’
In a video released by the presidency on Wednesday, President Saied denounced the performance of several public facilities that are not functioning normally.
Referring to the existence of certain individuals within the administration who are eagerly awaiting the elections for political reasons, he said: “The administration must be purged because the Tunisian state will continue regardless of individuals. Those who are waiting for elections should do so outside the administrative apparatus.’
He stressed that he had received dozens of complaints from citizens about issues that should have been dealt with by the relevant authorities.
President Saied cited examples that he described as “strange and unnatural”, such as a complaint from a citizen whose payment to the state was refused by an official working in one of the tax offices under the Ministry of Finance.
He also drew attention to individuals using Article 96 of the Penal Code as a pretext, stating that it would soon be revised.
The President also mentioned another complaint from a citizen in Zaghouan, where a civil status official failed to mention the sex of his daughter, who was born in 2016. Despite efforts including medical certificates and legal action, the Ministries of Education, Justice and Women and Family Affairs did not respond. The Presidency had to intervene with the Ministry of Education to officially register the child for school, thus resolving the citizen’s ordeal.
In another context, the Head of State noted the continuing problems of hoarding and speculation, particularly in essential commodities such as flour and sugar. He said these commodities were being concealed by lobbies and individuals within the administration, stressing that the state could not continue in this way.
President Saied also spoke of bribery, corruption and fake protests, suggesting that they are backed by lobbies supporting certain factions within the state, institutions and organisations. These groups seek external support because they thrive on foreign influence, he said, asserting that Tunisia will not surrender its sovereignty.
Saied also revealed the existence of several draft laws that are being fast-tracked, including the draft law on criminal reconciliation, which will soon be submitted to the cabinet before being sent to parliament for discussion.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse