A woman named Prime Minister in Tunisia, a first in the Arab world

Najla Bouden Romdhane, a former official of the ministry of Higher education, was appointed Wednesday Prime Minister of Tunisia, becoming thus the first woman to hold such a position in the region.

Mrs Romdhane, 63-year old geology professor at the National School of Engineers, was tasked to form a new Cabinet more than two months after Tunisian President Kais saied fired Premier Hichem Mechichi on July 25, suspended the parliament and lawmakers’ immunity, and decreed a number of exceptional measures. The move notably sidelined the Islamist party that dominated parliament, Ennahdha, and critics denounced the president’s moves as a coup that threatens Tunisia’s young democracy.

Saied who has been under pressure to appoint a new Prime Minister said during the appointment ceremony: “Today, we bear a historic responsibility, and this is indeed a historic moment. For the first time, a woman is head of government in Tunisia, not only a member of the government team. This is an honor for Tunisia and a tribute to Tunisian women.”

The future cabinet, the Tunisian leader added, will work with Romdhane “with a firm will and determination to combat corruption and chaos that pervaded in many state institutions”.

Achref Aouadi, leader of the I Watch, a prominent anti-corruption civil society group, has revealed that the choice of Bouden is that of the First Lady Ichraf Chebil.

Aouadi, in a Facebook post, argued that Saied has ignored advice from his team. “Everyone advised him, but he made his decision, so now he has to take responsibility. It is a pity that appointments are made on the basis of friendship. (…) Kais Saied has not learned anything from past experiences,” he said.

The World Bank has made the appointment of a Prime Minister with a background in Economics, as a key condition to grant the North African country a multiple million dollar loan necessary to soothe a serious economic crisis that has gripped the country.