Tunisia's Saied appoints female prime minister amid coup claims
Two months after sacking his former prime minister, Tunisian President Kais Saied has named Najla Bouden Romdhan as the country's next premier.
Tunisian President Kais Saied has appointed relative political newcomer Najla Bouden Romdhan as the country’s first female prime minister, two months after he dismissed the government in what his critics said was a coup.
"This is the first time in the history of Tunisia that a woman has led a government," Saied said in a video message Wednesday. "It is an honor to Tunisia and Tunisian women."
Romdhan was previously at Tunisia’s Ministry of Higher Education, where she directed World Bank projects. She is also a former geology professor.
Saied said he asked Romdhan to quickly propose a cabinet "because we have lost a lot of time." The goal of the new government, he said, would be to “put an end to the corruption and chaos that have spread throughout many state institutions.”
