Tunisian President Nominates Minister for Local Gov't as Prime Minister

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi has nominated the minister for local government, Yusuf al-Shahid, to the post of prime minister and the head of the future government of national unity after a vote of confidence went against current Prime Minister Habib Essid, sources in the ruling Nidaa Tounes party told Sputnik Tuesday.

TUNIS (Sputnik) — On Saturday, a majority of lawmakers in the Tunisian parliament passed a vote of no confidence in the prime minister, which followed Essid's rejection to form a new unity government and push for economic reforms in the North African country.

According to the sources, the president-proposed candidate was approved by influential parties and organizations that participated in the consultative meeting with heads of political parties and civil society organizations.

Essebsi also called on party leaders to come to agreement on the candidate for the post of prime minister by the end of the week in order to avoid a constitutional crisis.

In August, the 89-year-old Tunisian president called for a national unity government that would help overcome political disputes in the coalition of four parties and respond to economic challenges and security problems in the country.

Essid, who took up the post less than two years ago, faced severe criticism for the slow progress in the implementation of the package of financial reforms, which are supposed to boost economic growth and job creation.