Tunisia’s Prime Minister Youssef Chahed said Tuesday that his government will go ahead with a package of economic reforms that are strongly opposed by labor unions and business associations. The austerity measures include raising taxes and laying off thousands of government workers in order to cut Tunisia’s budget deficit. Speaking at a parliamentary session on the 2018 state budget, Chahed said, “We will seek consensus with all, but we go ahead with reforms needed to revive the economy.” The International Monetary Fund has been pressuring Tunisia to curb its budget deficit after a series of militant attacks damaged the country’s vital tourism sector. Read More
The fledgling North African democracy is dispatching dignitaries to argue for a multi-year memorandum of understanding to help combat terrorism and social unrest.