Ernest Engelbrecht

Ernest Engelbrecht (born 1960) is a Lunasi economist and politician, who served as Minister of Finance from 9 June 2022 to 14 January 2024. He is a member of the Unionist Party, having previously been a member of the Liberal Party before its merger.
During the economic crisis that hit Lunasi in 2022, Engelbrecht was invited to serve as an expert advisor to the government. His recommendations for fiscal austerity and structural reforms impressed Prime Minister Harian Dean, who offered him the position of Minister of Finance in June 2022.
As Minister of Finance, Engelbrecht implemented a series of strict measures aimed at reducing the government deficit and stabilizing the economy. These measures included tax increases, spending cuts, and financial market reforms.
Engelbrecht's policies faced significant opposition from some members of the Unionist Party and the wider public. However, he remained steadfast in his belief that fiscal discipline was essential for long-term economic recovery.
On 14 January 2024, Engelbrecht resigned from his post as Minister of Finance. According to sources close to the government, his resignation was due to disagreements with the Prime Minister over the pace of economic reforms.