Saudi King reconstitutes Cabinet under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz recently restructured the Cabinet, placing Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as its new chairman, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The move comes after the legal requirement that the Cabinet be reorganized by royal decree following its term limit of four years. The Saudi Press Agency also reported changes to the leadership of two significant economic bodies.

Bandar Alkhorayef, who previously chaired the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority, was relieved of his position. Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Energy Minister, was appointed to lead the authority. In another decree, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Kuwaiz was removed as chairman of the Capital Market Authority. Mazen bin Turki Al Sudairi, who will assume the role of a minister, was appointed to succeed him.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who assumed the role of Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister in June 2017, has been instrumental in shaping Saudi Arabia's political, economic, and foreign policy agendas. He has been leading the implementation of Saudi Vision 2030, a comprehensive plan aimed at reducing the nation's reliance on oil, diversifying the economy, and developing various sectors such as tourism, technology, entertainment, logistics, and renewable energy.

Major initiatives under this vision include Neom, the Red Sea tourism project, and the expansion of the Public Investment Fund.

Prince Mohammed's foreign policy has also been characterized by a more assertive and independent approach. Saudi Arabia has sought to strengthen relationships with major powers such as the United States, China, and Russia, while simultaneously expanding diplomatic engagement throughout the Middle East. In 2023, the kingdom and Iran restored diplomatic relations, following a deal mediated by China.

The Crown Prince has also overseen significant social reforms in Saudi Arabia, including allowing women to drive, expanding women's participation in the workforce, and opening the country to international entertainment and tourism. However, the nation continues to face international criticism for its human rights record and restrictions on political dissent.