Salem bin Berek appointed as the Prime Minister of Yemen, succeeding Ahmed bin Mubarak.

In a surprising move marking a significant political shift in Yemen, the Presidential Leadership Council announced on Saturday evening the appointment of Salem Saleh Ben Breik, who has been the Minister of Finance since 2018, as the new Prime Minister, succeeding Ahmed Awad Ben Mubarak who officially resigned after about a year and a half in office. The appointment decision issued by the Council President Rashad Al-Alimi and published by the official news agency "Saba" stated that the current government members will continue their duties unchanged, with the decision taking effect immediately upon its publication in the official gazette. The change in the government's leadership comes days after media reports spoke of an internal consensus within the Presidential Leadership Council to dismiss Ben Mubarak, amidst increasing popular protests in areas under the internationally recognized government's control, amid rising anger over the deteriorating economic conditions and basic services, and the collapse of the local currency to unprecedented levels. In his resignation letter, Ben Mubarak candidly discussed the serious challenges his government faced, accusing certain parties in power of undermining his constitutional powers and obstructing the necessary government reshuffle. Nevertheless, he affirmed tangible achievements in contentious issues such as financial reform, anti-corruption efforts, and activating state institutions in Aden, the interim capital. Among the notable achievements of his government, as mentioned, was saving more than $133 million from the electricity fuel bill within one year, with the potential for similar savings by canceling purchased energy contracts, in addition to a strict austerity policy that helped reduce public expenditures. Ben Mubarak described his resignation as a commitment to the principles he adhered to and a concern for the unity of state institutions, expressing his wishes for success to his successor, calling for unity befitting the sacrifices and hopes of the Yemeni people. With this decision, Yemen enters a new phase of political and economic challenges, with widespread anticipation of the plans that the new Prime Minister Salem Ben Breik will bring to address the accumulated crises.