Tunisia’s president names Najla Bouden as country’s first female PM

Political unknown to form government with limited powers while President Kais Saied rules by decree

Tunisia's president named geologist Najla Bouden as the country's first ever female prime minister-designate on Wednesday, to form a government with limited executive clout after the president seized wide-ranging powers two months ago.

Bouden, a university lecturer and political unknown, will take office after President Kais Saied on 25 July sacked the government of Hichem Mechichi, suspended parliament, lifted MPs' immunity and took over the judiciary.