List of Presidents of Tunisia: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Tunisia from 1957 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Tunisia, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Tunisia: Kais Saied (in office since 2019).

Presidents of Tunisia in order, with years in office

Habib Bourguiba

Served: 1957–1987

First president after independence; proclaimed himself president for life in 1974 and was removed on 7 November 1987.

Zine El Abidine Ben Ali

Served: 1987–2011

Took power from Bourguiba as prime minister; ruled until he left the country in the January 2011 revolution.

Mohamed Ghannouchi

Served: 2011 (acting)

Prime minister who briefly acted as president for one day in January 2011.

Fouad Mebazaa

Served: 2011 (interim)

Speaker of Parliament who served as interim president from 15 January to 13 December 2011.

Moncef Marzouki

Served: 2011–2014

Elected interim president by the Constituent Assembly in December 2011.

Beji Caid Essebsi

Served: 2014–2019

Won the 2014 election, the first by universal suffrage after the revolution, and died in office on 25 July 2019.

Mohamed Ennaceur

Served: 2019 (acting)

Speaker of Parliament who served as acting president for 90 days after Essebsi's death.

Kais Saied

Served: 2019–present

Elected in 2019 and sworn in on 23 October 2019; re-elected in 2024.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Tunisia

Who is the current president of Tunisia?

The current head of state of Tunisia is Kais Saied, in office since 2019.

Who were the previous presidents of Tunisia?

The presidents and heads of state of Tunisia listed on this page, in order, are: Habib Bourguiba, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Mohamed Ghannouchi, Fouad Mebazaa, Moncef Marzouki, Beji Caid Essebsi, Mohamed Ennaceur, Kais Saied.

Who was the first president of Tunisia?

Habib Bourguiba was the first president of Tunisia, in office 1957–1987.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of Tunisia and President of Tunisia (checked Nov 2026). Includes acting and interim presidents, who are labelled.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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