Fouad Mebazaa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fouad Mebazaa
فؤاد المبزع
Mebazaa in 2011
Acting President of Tunisia
In office 15 January 2011 – 13 December 2011
Prime Minister	Mohamed Ghannouchi Béji Caïd Essebsi
Preceded by	Mohamed Ghannouchi
Succeeded by	Moncef Marzouki
Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies
In office 14 October 1997 – 15 January 2011
President	Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
Preceded by	Habib Boularès
Succeeded by	Sahbi Karoui (Acting)
Personal details
Born	(1933-06-15)15 June 1933 Tunis, French protectorate of Tunisia
Died	23 April 2025(2025-04-23) (aged 91)
Political party	Independent (2011–2025)
Other political affiliations	Constitutional Democratic Rally (Before 2011)
Spouse	Lilia Mebazaa

Fouad Mebazaa (born June 15, 1933 – died April 23, 2025) was an important politician from Tunisia. He served as the acting President of Tunisia for almost a year, from January 2011 to December 2011. Before becoming president, he held many other important jobs. He was a minister for youth, health, culture, and information. He also led the country's parliament, called the Chamber of Deputies, for many years.

Fouad Mebazaa's Political Journey

Early Life and Fight for Independence

Fouad Mebazaa was born when Tunisia was under French rule. In 1947, when he was 14, he joined a group called the "constitutional youth." This group was part of the Neo Destour political party. This party played a big role in helping Tunisia become independent from France.

Mebazaa became a leader in the Neo Destour party. In 1955, he was chosen as the Secretary-General of the party's unit in La Marsa. The next year, in 1956, he became the President of its unit in Montpellier, France.

Serving Tunisia: 1956 to 2010

After Tunisia gained its independence in 1956, Mebazaa continued his political career. He was elected to the Chamber of Deputies (Tunisia's parliament) many times, starting in 1964.

He served as the Governor-Mayor of Tunis, the capital city, from 1969 to 1973. During the 1970s and late 1980s, he held several important government positions. These included Minister of Youth and Sports, Minister of Public Health, and Minister of Culture and Information. He also worked as an ambassador for Tunisia in Geneva and Morocco in the 1980s.

From 1995 to 1998, Mebazaa was the Mayor of Carthage. In 1997, he was elected as the President (Speaker) of the Chamber of Deputies. He was re-elected to this role in 2004, showing his long-standing influence in Tunisian politics.

Becoming Acting President in 2011

Mebazaa on the day he became acting president, January 15, 2011.

In January 2011, a major event called the Tunisian Revolution happened. The president at the time, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, left Tunisia. Because Fouad Mebazaa was the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, he was named the acting President of Tunisia. This happened on January 15, 2011, following the country's constitution.

As acting president, Mebazaa had to guide Tunisia through a difficult time. The prime minister, Mohamed Ghannouchi, formed a new government. Mebazaa himself left his political party, the Democratic Constitutional Rally, the day after becoming president. He also temporarily stepped down from his role as Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies.

On January 19, 2011, Mebazaa announced that the security situation in Tunisia was getting better. He promised that those causing trouble would be found and arrested. He also stated that the new government would keep its promises and be different from the past.

Mebazaa with Beji Caid Essebsi, Yadh Ben Achour and Latifa Lakhdar in Tunis on October 13, 2011.

To help Tunisia move forward, a new law was passed in February 2011. This law allowed the acting president to make decisions through special orders called "decree-laws." Later that month, Prime Minister Ghannouchi resigned, and Beji Caid Essebsi took over and formed a new government.

A very important step Mebazaa took was announcing the election of a Constituent Assembly on March 3, 2011. This assembly's job was to create a brand new constitution for Tunisia. He explained that the old constitution no longer fit the country's needs after the revolution. He believed a new constitution was needed for a truly democratic life and fair elections.

Fouad Mebazaa's time as acting president ended on December 12, 2011. He officially handed over power to the newly elected president, Moncef Marzouki. The next day, Mebazaa said goodbye at the Presidential Palace and returned to his personal home.

Later Life and Passing

Fouad Mebazaa passed away on April 23, 2025, at the age of 91.

Honours and Awards

Ribbon bar	Country	Honour
	Tunisia	Grand Cordon of the Order of the Independence
	Tunisia	Grand Cordon of the Order of the Republic
	Tunisia	Grand Cordon of the National Order of Merit
	Tunisia	Grand Cordon of the Order of the Seventh of November
	Morocco	Grand Officer of the Order of Ouissam Alaouite
	Mauritania	Grand Officer of the National Order of Merit
	France	Commander of the Legion of Honour
	Italy	Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic

See also

In Spanish: Fouad Mebazaa para niños