WASHINGTON — The Biden administration has proposed slashing US economic assistance to Tunisia next year while maintaining near-current levels of security aid, as President Kais Saied continues to restrict his country’s path to democratic governance.

The State Department’s fiscal year 2024 spending plan released last week seeks $68.3 million in overall bilateral aid for Tunisia, down from the $106 million requested for this year. Of that, the administration is proposing just $14.5 million in US economic support for Tunisia for the fiscal year that begins in October, down from the $45 million requested for this year.

The requested cuts come as the North African country faces a deepening economic crisis and has sought a $1.9 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund amid fears the government may default on its debt. Food prices have soared, unemployment rates have risen and Tunisia’s public debt now accounts for more than 80% of its gross domestic product.

Meanwhile, Saied has continued to cement his power, reversing many of Tunisia’s hard-fought democratic gains born out of the Arab Spring while publicly scapegoating migrants for the country’s economic woes.