Tunisia PM receives appointment letter

Tunisia’s new prime minister, Youssef Chahed has received his appointment letter a day after being named by President Beji Caid Essebsi to the position.

Chahed’s appointment comes after parliament ousted Habib Essid in a vote of no-confidence over his handling of economic reforms and security.

The 41-year-old takes office as the North African nation struggles with a stagnant economy and threats posed by jihadist groups operating in the country.

Alaya Sghaier, university professor says, “It is not a matter of changing the person that will solve Tunisia’s problems, it is about having an actual program and I think the statement of the new Prime Minister, I’m not talking about his intentions, that is factual: fighting corruption, combating terrorism, combating the economic crisis.”

Chahed, a former minister for local affairs has 30 days to form a new government.

“I do not know who he is, and I have no confidence in what he will do or in those that preceded or will follow him. The country was in a swamp and fell into another, deeper,” said a Tunis resident Fatma Fourti.

The new prime minister faces pressure to deliver on reforms demanded by multilateral lenders like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

AFP