Rhino: Agencies – Tunisian President Kais Saied announced on Sunday a wide-ranging cabinet reshuffle involving 19 ministers, including defence, foreign and economic ministers, ahead of a presidential election on October 6.

The presidency said in a statement that Khaled Suhaili had been assigned to the defence ministry and Mohamed Ali al-Nafti to the foreign ministry.

Said sacked Prime Minister Ahmed Hashani this month, replacing him with Social Affairs Minister Kamal al-Madouri, while the finance, justice and interior ministers kept their posts.

The reshuffle comes amid a financial crisis and widespread discontent over frequent water and electricity cuts in many parts of Tunisia and shortages of some goods and medicines, in a move likely aimed at injecting new blood and attracting voters.

Said tightened his grip on power in 2021 after dissolving the elected parliament, and is running for a new term against two candidates.

Tunisian opposition parties and human rights groups have accused the authorities of using arbitrary restrictions and intimidation to exclude contenders from the race and pave the way for Said to win a new term.