Tunisia’s new Prime Minister takes oath

Ahmed Hachani, Tunisia’s new Prime Minister swore in on Monday July 31 right after his appointment, before President Kais Saied, a few hours the latter fired the country’s first female Premier Najla Bouden.
“There are great challenges that we must meet with determination and a strong will to preserve our homeland, our State and civil peace… We will work to fulfill the will of our people, achieve the desired justice and achieve national dignity”, Saied told Hachani at the end of the ceremony.
The Tunisian leader earlier in the day, fired Bouden, the country’s female Prime Minister. The 65-year old former geology professor at the National School of Engineers, was appointed in September 2021 to replace fired Premier Hichem Mechichi.
Bouden’s dismissal was hinted at by Mahmoud Ben Mabrouk, leader of the July 25 movement also known as “National Youth Movement of Tunisia” supporting the Tunisian President.
Mahmoud Ben Mabrouk in June revealed that Saied will carry out after July 25 a major Cabinet overhaul and will tap into domestic skills. He also indicated that the cabinet reshuffle will concern nearly 90 per cent of the various departments including the ministry of Finance.
Hachani’s appointment also comes several months after the election of a new Parliament following legislative elections held in December 2022 and January 2023.
The North African country is facing an economic hardship with debt put at about $37 billion at the end of 2022, or 79.9 percent of Gross domestic product.