Ennahda’s nominee to become Tunisia’s prime minister

Asmaa al-Batakoshi

Tunisian President Kais Saied has asked Friday Habib Jemli to form the new cabinet in Tunisia, after he was nominated by Ennahda, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in Tunisia.

Ennahda had succeeded in winning a majority of seats in the Tunisian parliament, which means that it has the right to form the new government.

Jemli has 60 days to form the government. The cabinet lineup should then be approved by a majority of parliament members.

The prime minister-designate will have to consult the president about the people he will select for the defense and foreign affairs portfolios.

If the new cabinet fails to get endorsement from the majority of parliament members, the president will have to select an independent politician to form the government.

Jemli introduces himself as an independent politician, with no political affiliations.

Who is he?

Jemli was born in March 1959 in the northern Tunisian city of Kairouan. He grew up and received his education in the same city. He is married and has four children.

He received a diploma in agriculture. He also obtained various certificates in agricultural economics.

He worked at the Ministry of Agriculture for 14 years. He also worked at several public agricultural companies.

Between 1992 and 1995, Jemli headed the department for applied research at the Ministry of Agriculture.

In 2001, Jemli worked for the Mediterranean Grains Company, the second largest in Tunisia. In 2004, he became the manager of the company. A year later, Jemli led the growth of the company which became the largest in Tunisia. In 2013, he led a comprehensive project for administrative reform and the management of resources.

Jemli has been running a private consultative office in the field of agricultural services since 2014.