As Tunisia’s democracy wobbles, an unexpected gain: first woman premier
It was always going to be an uphill climb for the Arab world’s first woman prime minister.
If a failing economy and a pandemic weren’t challenge enough, Tunisian Prime Minister Najla Romdhane has been appointed just as the Arab world’s lone democracy is at a critical crossroads: a broken political system and a constitutional crisis precipitated by an aloof president wielding near-absolute power.
Rather than a celebration of breaking the glass ceiling, Ms. Romdhane's unexpected political ascent has taken on new meaning.
Her appointment has illustrated Tunisia’s uncertainty since President Kais Saied’s assumption of emergency powers in late July, teetering between hope for positive change and fears of a disastrous backslide into authoritarianism.
“Right now, all that matters is whether you are with or against Kais Saied, and that is not good for Tunisia itself. The whole political process “Even the first woman prime minister is being scrutinized because she took on the task from Saied in a not-normal state of affairs.”
Friendly face?Popular mandateUnited in oppositionTweaking democracy
