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Tunisia Turns on Central Bank Chief Following Price Protests

  • Economics professor El Abbasi is set to replace Ayari
  • Tunisian authorities are struggling to revive the economy
The city skyline of Tunis, Tunisia.

The city skyline of Tunis, Tunisia.

Photographer: Trevor Snapp
Updated on

Tunisia’s president asked parliament to vote on a new central bank chief, a move that could complicate a planned international bond sale seen as central to efforts to reform the struggling an economy while easing public anger over deepening hardships.

President Beji Caid Essebsi’s office said the request was submitted to lawmakers a day after Prime Minister Youssef Chahed sought his approval to replace governor Chedly Ayari. Officials have tapped Marouane El Abassi, an economics professor who was appointed World Bank representative in Libya in 2010, for the post. Abassi has also advised Tunisia’s ministries of trade and tourism, according to the World Bank’s website.