Tunisian Premier-designate Youssef Chahed
Tunis, (IINA) : Tunisian Premier-designate Youssef Chahed unveiled his unity government on Saturday, pledging to work to try to resolve deep social and economic crises that has plagued Tunisia since a youth-led revolt toppled President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011.
If his cabinet is confirmed by parliament, Chahed, 40, would become the youngest Tunisian prime minister since the North African country won independence from France in 1956, AFP reported.
He told a news conference here on Saturday that he would head a 27-member cabinet which will also include 14 ministers of state, eight women “in important” positions and “14 young” ministers. “We have tried to follow a method which would guarantee… the efficiency of the government’s work,” Chahed said.
“We have formed it according to the priorities which I outlined on August 3,” he added of the day he was nominated to form a cabinet.
Chahed’s appointment by President Beji Caid Essebsi came as Tunisia struggles with a stagnant economy and the threat posed by terrorists, as well as pressing social issues. He was given the task to form a new government days after lawmakers passed a vote of no confidence in the government of premier Habib Essid after just 18 months in office.
The prime minister-designate earlier Saturday submitted his proposed lineup to the president. The new lineup includes seven ministers from the outgoing Cabinet, and newcomers including a woman, Lamia Zribi, as finance minister and a judge, Ghazi Jeribi, as justice minister. Chahed also chose a woman, Samira Merai, to head the health ministry.