As preliminary, virtual talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded last week, Tunisia is desperately eying the prospect for a potential multi-billion dollar rescue package to finance its budget and public debt repayments. The global lender, known for its austerity policies, is likely to demand the reduction of the public sector wage bill, the revision of the policy of subsidising basic necessities along with support for some state-owned companies, and the granting of some funds to the poorest. The Tunisian government’s official programme to the IMF, leaked in early January, det…