Hedi Amara Nouira

Hédi Amara Nouira (5 April 1911 – 25 January 1993) was a Tunisian politician. He served as the second prime minister of Tunisia between 1970 and 1980.

Biography Hédi Nouira was born in Monastir and trained as a lawyer. He served as one of the founders of the Neo-Destour party and was a colleague of Habib Bourguiba. He was imprisoned for anti-colonial activities by the French from 1938 to 1943, but later represented the Neo-Destour during negotiations with France towards Tunisian independence in 1950. Following the failure of a short-lived Socialist experiment in the 1960s, Nouira liberalised the economy during the 1970s. In 1970, the then governor of the Central Bank, Nouira was appointed prime minister. The most decisive factor in Nouira's appointment seemed to be his commitment to private initiative as well as his financier's background.

Having been named as President Bourguiba's successor in 1974, Nouira's tenure as prime minister saw him increasingly take the roles of the former, who was suffering from ill health. At the same time, he was criticised by workers and dissidents for his harsh stances on labor and opposition to multiparty politics.

Family His younger brother, Habib Nouira, served as Tunisian Ambassador to Iraq, Kuwait, Syria and Egypt.