Tunisian Parliament Continues Review of 2026 Budget and Economic Plan
The Assembly of People's Representatives (ARP) and the National Council of Regions and Districts continued their examination of the 2026 budget and economic plan on Thursday, November 6, 2025. The session, chaired by Brahim Bouderbala, was attended by several government members, including the Minister of Economy and Planning.
High Expectations for Economic Policies
The debates highlighted the high expectations of lawmakers regarding the real impact of economic policies on citizens' daily lives. They called on the government to adopt a clear communication strategy to explain the measures taken and their effects to the Tunisian people.
Support for Farmers and Investment
Lawmakers also emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan to support farmers, better regulate the marketing of agricultural products, and ensure the availability of seeds, fertilizers, and animal feed. Other interventions denounced the lack of investment strategy in the 2026 budget plan, stressing the need for legislative reforms to encourage investment and simplify administrative procedures.
Minister of Economy and Planning Defends Government's Economic Policy
The Minister of Economy and Planning defended the government's economic policy, stating that the results achieved were generally positive:
- Increase of over 20% in foreign investments
- Decrease in unemployment rate to 15.3%
- Reduction in inflation to 4.9%
- Improvement in the budget deficit
These advances, according to the minister, have contributed to an upgrade in Tunisia's sovereign rating.
Budget Financing and Public Enterprises
Regarding state budget financing, the minister specified that resources come from internal financing, external borrowing, and advances from the Central Bank, a choice he described as "sovereign and strategic" to preserve national independence. He also emphasized the need to reform deficit-ridden public enterprises such as STEG, CPG, and the Office of Cereals.
Sectoral Actions
The minister mentioned several sectoral actions:
- Expected success of the olive and date harvest seasons
- Support for tourism, particularly in the south, through diversification of offerings and regional promotion
- Continued digitization of administration and education system reform
- Launch of the national "Raidet 2" program for women's economic empowerment
- Implementation of environmental projects in regions affected by industrial pollution, particularly in Gabès
Infrastructure Modernization and Job Creation
The minister also highlighted efforts to modernize infrastructure, with:
- 802 kilometers of roads completed
- Rehabilitation of 6,800 housing units
- Creation of over 2,000 jobs for graduates
New National Development Plan
Finally, the minister recalled that the government is working on a new national development plan, based on reports from regional and sectoral councils, which will be presented to Parliament by the end of the year. He concluded by emphasizing the complementarity between legislative and executive functions, "in the service of the nation's superior interest."
