Warning Against an Overloaded and Unbalanced Budget
Yasser Gourari, President of the Commission of General Legislation, has warned against a budget that is overloaded, unbalanced, and lacking in social measures, which could have a significant impact on Tunisian citizens.
The 2026 Budget Proposal
The proposed budget for 2026, which sets the state budget at 79,624 million dinars, has sparked strong reactions within the Assembly of People's Representatives, particularly from Yasser Gourari. According to him, this budget is "overloaded" and risks creating an imbalance, combining heavy financial measures with multiple exemptions while neglecting essential social measures for the most vulnerable classes.
Key Concerns
- The wage bill already accounts for nearly 40% of the budget, while subsidy and social intervention expenditures remain insufficient to address the rising inflation and basic needs of Tunisians.
- Gourari warns that the government may be forced to increase taxes or reduce public services, transferring the burden of the budget to citizens.
- The large number of articles introduced in the finance law, often without sufficient consultation, undermines the coherence of the project and prevents effective targeting of national priorities.
Call for Constructive Dialogue
Gourari emphasizes the need for constructive dialogue between the Parliament and the executive to rebalance expenditures, ensure decent wage increases, and protect retirees. The current absence of the Constitutional Court increases the responsibility of the President of the Republic to ensure respect for the texts and fairness in the budget process.
A Strategic Vision for the Budget
Beyond the numbers, Gourari calls for a more strategic vision, where the budget is not just an accounting tool but a lever for social justice and economic development, capable of supporting growth while protecting household purchasing power. He insists that the state must find innovative solutions, such as rationalizing expenditures and better distributing resources, to avoid the budget overload translating into a deterioration of the standard of living of Tunisians, exacerbating social and economic tensions already present in the country.
Conclusion
In summary, for Gourari, the 2026 budget proposal is not just a financial document; it is a crucial indicator of the political and social choices that will determine Tunisia's economic stability in the years to come.
