Tunisia’s Prime Minister-designate, Hichem Mechichi has announced a cabinet of independent technocrats rather than members of political parties. Mechichi is seeking to distance the government from political conflicts and focus on reviving the ailing economy.
This is the second cabinet to be named in six months in Tunisia.
Mechichi, an independent, was appointed by President Kais Saied last month.
Under plans to revamp the government and revive the economy, Mechichi gathered the ministries of finance, investment and economy into a single department led by liberal economist Ali Kooli, CEO of Arab Banking Corporation in Tunisia.
Mechichi needs to win a confidence vote in parliament in the next few days or face the dissolution of parliament by the president and another election, deepening existing instability.
Authorities have been struggling to defuse constant protests over widespread unemployment, lack of investment for development and poor health, electricity and water services.
Before his appointment, Mechichi was the interior minister in former Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh’s government. Fakhfakh resigned over an alleged financial scandal.
Parliament is expected to vote on the new cabinet in 10 days.
