Tunisia’s president appoints new prime minister amid deepening crisis

Tunisia’s President Kais Saied dismissed on Tuesday Prime Minister Najla Bouden, the country’s first female premier, the presidency announced in a statement posted on its Facebook page. Saied immediately appointed Ahmed Hachani, a director at Tunisia's central bank, as new prime minister.

The presidency did not provide any explanation for Bouden’s dismissal. Saied has fired a number of ministers in recent months, including Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi in February. Also, no explanation was provided.

The shock move comes as Tunisia faces a deepening economic and social crisis. Saied has blamed officials and the government for failing to address the country’s woes.

“There are great challenges that we must raise ... to preserve our homeland, our state and civil peace,” Saied told Hachani after he was sworn in.