Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid Loses Confidence Vote Saturday July 30,2016

 

Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid lost a confidence vote in parliament Saturday July 30,2016, in a move that risks plunging the country into fresh political uncertainty.

Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favour of dismissing Essid, whose government has been criticised for failing to tackle the country's economic crisis, high unemployment and a series of jihadist attacks since coming to power 18 months ago.

Out of Tunisia's 217 MPs, 191 were present for the vote. A total of 118 voted to unseat Essid, three voted for him to stay at the helm of the North African nation and 27 abstained.

The 67-year-old premier had been under growing pressure since President Beji Caid Essebsi appeared on local television in June to criticise the administration and propose creating a new government of national unity.

Essebsi is now required to launch consultations within 10 days to choose the "most suitable person" to form a new government, though no clear frontrunner has emerged so far.

The no-confidence outcome was widely expected after the four parties that make up Essid's coalition said they would vote to oust him.