TUNISIA PARLIAMENT APPROVES NEW UNITY GOVERNMENT

TUNIS: Tunisia’s parliament on Friday resoundingly approved the unity government of Youssef Chahed, backing a new cabinet lineup which will have to tackle the country’s pressing socio-economic and security challenges.

There were 167 votes in favour, 22 against and five abstentions. The cabinet, headed by Mr Chahed — who at 40 will become the country’s youngest prime minister since it won independence from France in 1956 — is set to take office in the coming days.

The parliamentary vote of confidence for the unity government brings to an end some three months of intense negotiations.

President Beji Caid Essebsi said in June that he would support a government of national unity, faced with rising criticism of the government of Habib Essid.

Mr Chahed was appointed prime minister-designate by Mr Essebsi early this month after lawmakers passed a vote of no confidence in then-premier Habib Essid’s government following just 18 months in office.

Mr Chahed, a member of Essebsi’s Nidaa Tounes party, will become the North African nation’s seventh head of government in less than six years.

His 27-strong cabinet draws its members from all parties, including the Islamist Ennahda party, and includes eight women “in important” positions and “14 young” ministers.