TUNIS — In a major shuffle of the Cabinet, Tunisian President Kais Saied has appointed his interior minister as the country’s new prime minister. According to the presidential office, Hichem Mechichi was selected for the post after Elyes Fakhfakh resigned over alleged conflict of interest because of his stake in a waste processing company that won government contracts worth 15 million euros.

A government statement later said he resigned “taking into consideration the national interest and to avoid more difficulties for the country, and ... to open a new path to get the country out of the crisis." On the other hand, Mechichi, who previously served as the president’s advisor swore to end the economic and political crisis that has battered the country due to the ongoing pandemic. According to John Hopkins University, the North African country has reported 1,443 cases and deaths 50 till now.

Mechichi , a 46-year-old lawyer has been a counselor to President Saied, handling legal matters. He has previously been chief of staff at the transport ministry and also served in the social affairs ministry.

Mechichi now has a month to form a government against a background of political tensions among the major parties.

At that point his choice will be put to a parliamentary vote of confidence and will need an absolute majority to succeed. Failing that, parliament will be dissolved and new elections organized within three months.

In the last elections held in October the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha came top but fell far short of a majority — holding 54 of 217 seats in parliament — and eventually agreed to join a coalition government. — Agencies