Oct. 11 — Tunisia announces long-awaited formation of new government comprising 24 Ministers in an effort to tackle the country’s tough economic crisis. News comes after more than two months of political wrangling since Tunisian president Kais Saied froze the country’s parliament and seized executive powers on July 25.
The Tunisian President Chooses and Surprises
President Kais Said on September 29, named Tunisia’s first female prime minister, appointing a 63-year-old professor to lead a transitional government after the head of state sacked the previous prime minister and suspended parliament. Najla Bouden Ramadhane, a professor at an engineering University in Tunis, becomes the very first woman in the Arab world to hold such a senior position.
Tunisia has been without a government since Saied froze the country’s parliament and seized executive powers on July 25 following the activation of the article 80 of the Constitution.
The Long-Awaited Tunisian Government Finally Formed
The country’s Head of Goverment-designate, Najla Bouden, has formed her cabinet. Bouden has presented her Cabinet line-up to President Saied. The new government includes 24 ministers, headed by Bouden.
Complete list of Cabinet Ministers
Following is the list of portfolios allocated to Bouden’s Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State:
- Taoufik Charfeddine was named the Minister of Interior
- Othman Jerandi is the new Foreign Affairs Minister
- Samir Saied is the new Economy Minister
- Sihem Boughdiri Namssia is the Finance Minister
- Imed Mimmeche is the Defense Minister
- Fadhila Rebhi Ben Hamza is the New Minister of Commerce
- Ali Mrabet is the Health Minister
- Nizar Bennaji is the Communication Technologies Minister
- Leila Chikhaoui is the new Minister of Environment
- Sarra Zaafrani Zanzri is the Minister of Equipment
- Nasreddine Nasibi is the Minister of Employment
- Rabii Mjidi Minister of Transport
- Mahmoud Elyes Hamza is the Minister of Agriculture
- Mohamed El Moez Belhassine the Minister of Tourism
- Hayet Ketata Guermazi is the Minister of Culture
- Malek Ezzahi is the Minister of Social Affairs
- Kamel Dguiche the Minister of Youth
- Fethi Sellati the Minister of Education
- Moncef Boukthir is the new Higher Education Minister
- Ibrahim Cheibbi is the Minister of Religious Affairs
- Amel Bel Hadj is the Minister of Women
- Mohamed Rekik the Minister of Land Affairs
- Neila Nouira Gounji the Minister of Energy
- Leila Jeffal is the Minister of Justice
- Ayda Hamdi acting as State Sec. for Foreign Affairs
Following the formation of the government, Bouden said that the government will take care of the economic crisis. She declared that the government will seek help from the Arab world and that he will reconnect what has been cut off.
Tunisia is facing a dire financial situation and the new formed government led by Bouden needs to secure billions of dollars in aid and loans to boost slow economic growth. The new government will have to move very quickly to seek financial support for the budget and debt repayments.
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