Tunisia's New Cabinet Deepens Rift Between President and PM
- Partial reshuffle includes naming Jewish Tourism Minister
- Political crisis has stymied efforts to revive the economy
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Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi has rejected a cabinet reshuffle announced by the prime minister, escalating a political deadlock between the former allies as the government struggles to revive an economy saddled with high inflation and a financial crisis.
Prime Minister Youssef Chahed announced the appointments in a speech on state television late Monday, in an effort to shore up support amid calls from within his own party to step down. The changes included the transport and justice ministers, as well as naming a Jewish businessman as tourism minister -- a rarity in Arab countries. The key finance and interior ministry portfolios, however, were untouched.