Tunisian President appoints 1st female PM

President Kais Saied of Tunisia on Wednesday appointed a new prime minister, two months after controversially unseating the previous premier and suspending parliament.

The president also tasked the first female Prime Minister, Najla Bouden to form a cabinet as soon as possible.

Bouden is a 59-year-old geology university teacher at the National School of Engineering in Tunis.

She have also been in charge of implementing World Bank programmes at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

In July, Saied sacked premier Hichem Mechichi and suspended parliament.

He further expanded his legislative and executive powers and suspending some parts of the constitution this month.

His measures have divided the country, as his supporters praise his moves while his opponents describe them as a “coup.”

Saied who took office in 2019 had been locked in months of long political dispute about the powers of the government and parliament.