Saudi Arabia: King Salman reshuffles the pack and wards off unrest with austerity reversal

In a flurry of several dozen royal orders on 22 April, King Salman Bin Abdelaziz turned back the clock on some key austerity measures while keeping an eye to the future with promotions for the younger generations of royals.A string of perks and payments removed under the austerity regime promoted by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) just a few months ago have been reinstated. King Salman also shook up the ranks of government and provincial administrations, setting the scene for the grandsons and great-grandsons of the country’s founder Ibn Saud to have a greater role.