Tunisia's parliament held a joint session to review the 2027 budget for the Court of Auditors. The session was attended by the heads of the General Legislation Committee and the Internal System, Immunity, and Legal Affairs Committee. The Court of Auditors' First President's delegate, Fadhila Gargouri, presented the budget, which was prepared according to the 2019 law on the basic budget law and the 2026 government guidelines.
The proposed budget for the Court of Auditors is 36,436 thousand dinars, a 2.45% increase from 2026. The majority of expenses, around 80%, will go towards rent. Gargouri highlighted several projects, including studies for building court premises, purchasing safety equipment and transportation, and implementing an IT security program. The Court aims to increase its oversight of the state's budget and improve its performance indicators.
The Court of Auditors aims to raise its coverage of the state's budget through oversight tasks from 25 to 27%. It also targets an increase in the implementation of recommendations from 65 to 75%. The time required to prepare the budget closure report will be reduced from 12 months to 8 months. The Court's judicial function will also be strengthened, with an increase in the coverage of public accountants' accounts and the number of judgments issued.
Members of parliament raised concerns about the fate of the Court's oversight reports, suggesting they lack a declaratory and binding nature. They also questioned the delay in preparing these reports and their irregular publication. Some MPs inquired about the status of the Court's premises, citing the high cost of rent. They emphasized the importance of involving them in the Court's training programs and international events.
In response to these concerns, Gargouri explained that the binding nature of the Court's reports varies depending on the nature of the oversight results. She stated that the Court's work is preventive, aiming to protect public funds. The Court is working on developing procedures for evaluating public policies and establishing systems to follow up on its reports. It also plans to expand its oversight to include monitoring stalled public projects.
The Court of Auditors is working on several initiatives to enhance its role in monitoring public funds. It aims to establish rules for measuring the impact of its interventions in the field of oversight and to strengthen its international cooperation. Gargouri also addressed the issue of the Court's premises, stating that a land plot allocated to the Court is facing a real estate issue, which is being resolved.
The review of the Court of Auditors' budget is part of Tunisia's efforts to enhance transparency and accountability in public finances. The parliament's joint session reflects the country's commitment to strengthening its institutions and improving governance. The Court of Auditors plays a crucial role in monitoring public funds and ensuring their proper use.
Key points
- The proposed 2027 budget for the Court of Auditors is 36,436 thousand dinars, a 2.45% increase from 2026.
