Najla Bouden Romdhane has been appointed by Tunisia’s President Kais Saied as prime minister, making her the first woman to hold the position in Tunisia.

Her appointment is contained in a statement from the presidency on Wednesday, which has tasked Ms Romdhane with forming a government as quickly as possible. 

The new government is tasked to “put an end to the corruption and chaos that have spread throughout many state institutions.”

Ms Romdhane is a university engineering professor and coordinator of programmes at the World Bank in the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The appointment comes two months after Mr Saied removed the former prime minister, Hichem Mechichi, from power and suspended parliament. 

Last week, Mr Saied took away the salaries and protections of Tunisia’s lawmakers with a presidential order, which allowed him to rule the country via decree.  He also suspended parts of the constitution, this led to protests on Sunday. 

The Habib Bourguiba avenue in Tunis saw about 4000 protesters on Sunday, despite police officers wearing riot gear blocking off the street early.