Tunisian lawmakers approve new government headed by Ennahda

Tunisia’s national constituent assembly gave a vote of confidence on Wednesday for the new cabinet headed by Ali Larayedh, a leader in the ruling Islamist Ennahda Party.

The vote was originally scheduled for Tuesday but was postponed.

During Tuesday’s session, Larayedh read out his cabinet’s ministerial statement to the assembly. He pledged to restore security, fight the high cost of living and develop the domestic economy.

Larayedh also said his government would focus on achieving priorities that include clarifying Tunisia’s political vision, improving circumstances in the country for elections, achieving stability and continuing with reform.

The new cabinet, unveiled by the premier-designate, is replacing the team of fellow Islamist Hamadi Jebali, who stepped down as prime minister last month after his own efforts to form a new government failed.

Larayedh, the outgoing interior minister, was tapped to form the new administration in the wake of Jebali’s failure and after the February 6 assassination of leftist leader Chokri Belaid, which plunged Tunisia into turmoil.

However, Ennahda has ceded control of several key ministries to independents in the new cabinet.