Centrum Stosunków Międzynarodowych - 25 August 2016: Tunisian PM presents new cabinet, seeks parliament approval

On Thursday, August 25, the new Tunisian Prime Minister, Youssed Chaded, presented the final line-up of his government and announced that he will seek the vote of confidence on Friday. An initial line-up was presented on Sunday and contained figures from all major political parties, independents and trade union representatives. Such a wide coalition resulted in tensions over ministerial posts and political programme, but after a series of talks with political leaders, Chaded managed to secure the support of a majority in the parliament.

The designation of a new Prime Minister and the reconstruction of the cabinet have been forced by a vote of no confidence against Chaded’s predecessor, Habib Essid, in July, whom the parliament blamed for mismanaging of economic reforms and security issues. Both Essid, Chaded, and the President of Tunisia, Beji Caid Essebsi, are members of Nidaa Tounes (Tunisia’s Call), which has 86 of 217 MPs, making it the biggest faction in the Tunisian Parliament. However, it lacks the majority, forcing it to forge alliances with other political forces. The previous coalition with moderate Islamist Ennahda was extended by Chaded to include Project Tunisia, National Dousturian Initiative and the Afek Party, which together hold 192 votes. The Free Patriotic Union, the People’s Movement and the Popular Front remain in opposition.

9 ministers, out of the 26 proposed by Chaded, have previously served in Essid’s cabinet. Chaded has kept the ministers of foreign affairs, security and internal affairs. An important change happened at the post of the minister of finance, with Lamia Zibre, former investment and development official with banking experience, taking this position. 8 women and 14 people under the age of 35, counting both ministers and the secretaries of state, will work in the cabinet, which is a significant increase compared to Essid’s cabinet.