Dismissal of Tunisian Prime Minister Najla Bouden and appointment of Ahmed Hachani
In a surprising decision, Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed announced the dismissal of Prime Minister Najla Bouden from office. No clear explanation has been given as to the reasons for this decision, but it appears that the bread crisis and disagreements over bread subsidy policy are at the heart of this decision. Najla Bouden, the first woman to head a government in Tunisia, was appointed by Saïed in October 2021, after he took full powers and froze Parliament.
Nhachani, a new political face unknown to the general public, was immediately appointed to replace Najla Bouden. Little information is available on the political orientations of this new Prime Minister, but posts on his Facebook profile suggest an anti-Islamist position and support for a constitutional monarchy regime. Furthermore, he is also known for his commitment to Esperance sportive de Tunis, one of the main football clubs in the country.
As a lawyer by training, Ahmed Hachani mainly worked at the Tunisian Central Bank during his career. His father, Salah Hachani, was sentenced to death in 1963 in the conspiracy case against former president Habib Bourguiba. This conviction led to the family’s exclusion from public service. In addition, Ahmed Hachani’s mother is of Breton origin, which perhaps explains his interest in French song.
It is difficult to predict whether this change at the head of the Tunisian government will lead to a broader cabinet reshuffle. However, it should be noted that the new Prime Minister will have limited powers, as the executive does not need Parliament’s vote of confidence to appoint the head of government and change the composition of the cabinet, in accordance with the new Tunisian constitution. .
This decision comes in a context of persistent political crisis in Tunisia. Since Saïed took full power in 2021, the country has been ruled by presidential decrees, and Parliament has seen its powers considerably reduced. Additionally, several ministers have been fired without a clear explanation, and political opponents have been imprisoned, drawing criticism from NGOs such as Amnesty International.
Tunisia also faces serious economic difficulties, with high debt, low growth, increasing poverty and high unemployment. The political and economic situation in the country therefore remains precarious, and it remains to be seen how the new Prime Minister will face these challenges.