Tunisian premier elected leader of new party

TUNIS

A newly-founded Tunisian party has elected Prime Minister Youssef Chahed as its leader, months before the parliamentary and presidential election.

Chahed was elected president of the Tahya Tounes Party, the party confirmed in a statement on Sunday.

The secular party was founded in January after months of wrangling within the ruling Nidaa Tounes Party, resulting in the resignation of dozens of leaders.

Chahed was appointed as prime minister in 2016.

His government has been struggling to pass economic reforms amid worsening economic conditions in the North Africa country.

Tunisia will hold parliamentary and presidential election by the end of this year.