With no reason for the dismissal announced, the Housing Minister Salah Eddine Zouari will temporarily assume responsibility for the energy and industry portfolio.

President Kais Saied has dismissed Tunisia’s Energy and Industry Minister Fatma Thabet Chiboub amid controversy over draft renewable energy laws, with no official reason provided for the decision.

Tunisian President Kais Saied has ordered the dismissal of Energy and Industry Minister Fatma Thabet Chiboub, according to a brief statement from the presidency.

CBI News notes that the announcement was made on Tuesday, without any official explanation for the decision. The move comes just ahead of a parliamentary review of controversial draft legislation governing renewable energy contracts.

The proposed laws have drawn criticism from trade unions and lawmakers. They regulate concessions for foreign companies involved in solar energy projects, allowing them to operate installations for 20 years, with the possibility of a 10-year renewal. The draft also exempts operators from taxes for the first five years.

Under the proposals, electricity generated would be sold to Tunisia’s state utility, the Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas (STEG).

The government has defended the reforms, arguing they are intended to strengthen Tunisia’s energy independence, secure supply, and reduce electricity production costs. Tunisia currently relies heavily on imported energy, which places significant pressure on public finances due to subsidies on fuel, electricity, and gas.

According to the state secretary for energy transition, Wael Chouchane, renewable energy accounted for about nine percent of Tunisia’s electricity mix as of April, with a target of reaching 35 percent by 2030.

The government has also announced nearly $600 million in investment projects aimed at installing solar capacity of around 600 megawatts, roughly a quarter of the country’s annual consumption. These projects are expected to be concentrated in central and southern regions with high solar potential but lower economic activity.

The powerful UGTT trade union has criticised the draft laws, arguing they could increase foreign dependence and weaken national sovereignty. It has called for more balanced partnerships between foreign investors and STEG.

Some lawmakers have also strongly opposed the proposals, with MP Bilel El Mechri describing them as a form of “energy colonisation” and welcoming the minister’s dismissal, even calling for legal action against her.

Following the dismissal, the presidency announced that Housing Minister Salah Eddine Zouari will temporarily assume responsibility for the energy and industry portfolio.