Tunisian Parliament to Hold Confidence Vote on New Government

The Tunisian Parliament said it would convene a session on Friday to hold a vote of confidence on the newly formed government led by premier-designate Youssef Chahed.

If Tunisian MPs approve the new cabinet, Chahed, 40, would become Tunisia’s youngest prime minister since the North African country won independence from France in 1956.

In his new government line-up, Chahed attempts at winning support for reforms by including members hailing from Nidaa Tounes, the Islamist party Ennahdha, and smaller parties as well as opposition figures, independents and ministers close to the powerful UGTT labour union.

The new government has a new finance minister but keeps the previous foreign and defense ministers in their posts.

Chahed was named premier by Tunisia’s President Beji Caid Essebsi after Tunisian lawmakers dismissed his predecessor Habib Essid on grounds of failure to overcome political infighting and carry out reforms, including public spending cuts and improvements to laws to attract foreign investment.

If approved, the new government will have to address the worsening economic situation marked by deepening social crises since the 2011 revolution that toppled long-time dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Other challenges facing the future Tunisian government include the growing Islamist violence that hit hard the country’s tourism sector last year.