During the plenary devoted to the examination of the 2026 budget, the Minister of Finance, Michket Salma Khaldi, insisted on the need to preserve the financial balances of the State.
She affirmed that the government is working to propose mechanisms capable of meeting the expectations of all social categories, while strengthening employment and consolidating the General Compensation Fund.
Standoff over turnover levy
Questioned on a proposal aimed at excluding the soft drinks industry from the 3% royalty on turnover, the minister categorically rejected the idea.
According to her, a company making substantial profits must contribute to financing the economy and the public budget. She recalled that article 69 of the Constitution prevents any parliamentary proposal likely to destabilize state finances.
Direct impact on the Compensation Fund
The minister stressed that removing this fee would deprive the Caisse Générale de Compensation of part of its resources, especially since sugary, alcoholic or carbonated drinks indirectly benefit from sugar-related subsidies.
She also highlighted the social and health dimension of this type of levy, recalling that a majority of countries apply similar taxes.
For the minister, the parliamentary proposal presents a negative financial impact exceeding 20 million dinars. She specified that a single company in the sector alone would benefit from a reduction estimated at 7 million dinars, which, according to her, goes against tax fairness and the national compensation effort.
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