Tunisian President Kais Saied swore in a new cabinet on Monday, two months after dismissing the outgoing prime minister and taking a series of steps to consolidate his power.
Saied has suspended parliament, fired Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, strengthened his legislative and executive powers, and suspended parts of the country’s constitution since July 25.
He chose former geology professor Najla Bouden as Tunisia’s first female Prime Minister in September and charged her with forming a cabinet.
Taoufik Charfeddine was named Interior Minister in the new administration, having previously held the position until Mechichi fired him in January.
Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi retained his position, which he held since September 2020.
Bouden also kept Ali Mrabet, who was appointed by Saied in August as interim Health Minister.
The new 25-member government includes nine women.
The main challenge is “to save the country,’’ Saied said, while addressing the new government.
“I am certain we will cross together from despair to hope and from frustration to work,” he added.
Saied’s measures have divided the country.
His opponents led by the Islamist Ennahda Party, the largest group in parliament, have described his actions over the past few months as a coup.
Saied took office in 2019 and has been locked in a political dispute over the powers of the government and parliament.