Tunisia’s Prime Minister Youssef Chahed was on Sunday elected president of the secular Tahya Tounes party.
The party was founded this year ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections slated for November 2019.
Dozens of leaders from the ruling coalition party Nidaa Tounes resigned this year resulting in the formation of the new party in January.
The ruling coalition has been weakened making governing a major challenge. The coalition also has moderate Islamist party Ennahda as a member.
Tunisia is struggling to stabilize its economy which has sparked alot of protests in the past. Economic reforms required to improve conditions are facing challenges in getting passed.
Tahya Tounes party (Long Live Tunisia) has government ministers and lawmakers as members. The party is hoping to win November’s general next elections.
Chahed will however not resign but continue as Prime minister until November’s elections.
Crucial election
Tunisia’s elections commission in March said that presidential election will take place on November 17 instead of the earlier announced date of November 10.
Officials said the initial date set for the election conflicted with an Islamic holiday. Many Tunisians are expected to travel on the said date.
Tunisia experienced an uprising in 2011 mainly over lack of jobs and economic opportunities. That forced the long-serving leader, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to exit power.
Tunisia has a high unemployment rate among young people in areas were phosphate mining takes place.
Last year protesters clashed with police in a mining town in the southern part of the country. They were demanding jobs and development.
Source: Africafeeds.com
