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Tunisia's 'poker face' president sworn in

Tunisia's new president, whose stolid demeanor earned him the nickname "RoboCop," has vowed to combat corruption.

Tunisia's elected president Kais Saied gestures during his swearing-in ceremony at the Assembly of People's Representatives in Tunis, Tunisia  October 23, 2019REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi - RC16791F10D0
Tunisia's President Kais Saied takes the oath of office at the Assembly of People's Representatives in Tunis, Tunisia, Oct. 23, 2019 — REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi

Kais Saied, a conservative law professor and political novice, was sworn in as Tunisia’s president today, ushering in what many hope will be a new era of clean governance and accountability.

In a hope-infused inaugural speech before parliament, Saied emphasized people power and vowed to combat endemic corruption that has persisted since Tunisia’s 2011 Jasmine Revolution. “There will be no tolerance in wasting any cent of the people’s money,” he said. “Fighting poverty is a must and responsibility on our shoulders.”

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