The Tunisian President Beji Kaid Essebsi, has charged Youcef Al-chahed to form a national unity government, on the back drop of the successor government of Habib Essid.
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As a member of Nidaa Tounes’ executive bureau, Chahed was assigned by Essebsi to mediate discussions among party members, playing a crucial role during the divisive crisis the party underwent in the past few months. Chahed will have to implement the guidelines contained in the Carthage Accord, a document in which the representatives from nine political parties, trade unions and entrepreneurs set the timeline for the creation of a new national unity governments and its priorities for intervention.
Chahed, who is said to be a distant relative of Essebsi’s, now has 30 days to come up with a ministerial team.
Born on September 18, 1975 in Tunisia, Chahed was a minister of local development and a state minister of agriculture. He would replace Prime Minister Habib Essid, a USA -trained agricultural economist who faced criticism from across the political spectrum.
The previous Prime Minister, Habib Essid, was voted out of office on Saturday in an nearly unanimous decision by the parliament. This is a message of confidence for young people also. “We will speak frankly to the people about the reality of the country’s financial and economic situation”.
Nidaa Tounes and the Ennahda party, both part of the ruling coalition, control a majority of the seats in parliament, which means Chahed’s nomination is likely to be accepted by lawmakers when they vote on his approval.
At a press conference after his appointment, Al-Shahed promised to include politicians of various stripes in his government, and said it would focus on combating terrorism and corruption, boosting growth and improving fiscal discipline.
Tunisia suffered two major jihadi attacks past year – at a beach resort and at the well-known Bardot Museum – that killed around 60 people. Growth is now hovering at zero. He singled out the nation’s youths, saying they “must not lose hope in the future”.
Critics have also cited the lack of experience of Chahed, 41, who came to politics after the revolution that toppled long-time autocratic leader President Zine El Abiding Ben Ali in 2011.
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But security issues have tested the government and political infighting has slowed economic progress needed to ease social tensions especially among ranks of young employed.
