Saudi King reconstitutes Cabinet under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

King Salman bin Abdulaziz issued three royal decrees on Thursday, reconstituting the Cabinet under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and making adjustments to the management of two crucial economic entities, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The first decree placed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the helm of the Cabinet, retaining the existing members.

This action complied with a legal stipulation that the Cabinet must be restructured via royal decree after a four-year term. In a subsequent decree, King Salman removed Bandar Alkhorayef from his position as chairman of the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority's board. Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Energy Minister, was then appointed to assume the role of chairman.

In the third decree, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Kuwaiz was relieved of his duty as chairman of the Capital Market Authority's board. Mazen bin Turki Al Sudairi, holding the rank of minister, was appointed as his replacement. Prince Mohammed assumed the position of Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister in June 2017, succeeding his cousin Mohammed bin Nayef.

Later, in September 2022, he was elevated to the role of Prime Minister. Prince Mohammed has been instrumental in steering the kingdom's political, economic, and foreign policy direction. He is the primary architect of Saudi Vision 2030, a comprehensive plan aimed at diminishing the nation's reliance on oil, diversifying the economy, and fostering sectors such as tourism, technology, entertainment, logistics, and renewable energy.

Notable initiatives under this vision include the establishment of Neom, the development of the Red Sea region for tourism, and the expansion of the Public Investment Fund. Saudi Arabia has also pursued a more assertive and independent foreign policy led by Crown Prince Mohammed. The country has endeavored to bolster relations with major powers like the US, China, and Russia while enhancing diplomatic engagements throughout the Middle East.

In 2023, Saudi Arabia and Iran restored diplomatic relations, a deal facilitated by China. Crown Prince Mohammed has also spearheaded substantial social reforms in Saudi Arabia, including the allowance of women to drive, the expansion of women's workforce participation, and the opening of the country to international entertainment and tourism.

Concurrently, the kingdom has faced international criticism for human rights concerns and limitations on political dissent.