" President Bourguiba was a historic leader, a pioneer in Tunisia's struggle for independence and for social and economic progress. He also played a courageous role in efforts to advance peace in the Middle East. He leaves behind a nation that can be proud of its social achievements, particularly the steps it has taken to advance the status of women, and a nation poised to take on the critical challenges of deepening democracy and respect for human rights -- and building a better future for all Tunisians. "
-President Bill Clinton, April 2000
Habib Bourguiba became president of the Republic of Tunisia on July 25, 1957. Bourguiba was very pro-Western in his ideology and sought to rapidly modernize the Tunisian state. The economic policies adopted by Bourguiba along with his Prime Minister, Hédi Nouira, led to the expansion of private business and the Tunisian economy. In March 1975, the Tunisian National Assembly voted Bourguiba as ‘president for life.’ Bourguiba continued his presidency until a coup d'état led by his Prime Minister Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on November 7, 1987.
On November 7, 1987, Ben Ali had doctors declare President Bourguiba to be medically unfit to continue his rule as president of the Republic of Tunisia. For this reason, the overthrow of Bourguiba has been known as ‘the medical coup d'état.’
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