Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid lost a confidence vote in parliament Saturday, 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.
Speaking before the vote, MPs praised Essid for his "integrity" but also criticised his record.
Abdelaziz Kotti, of Essebsi's Nidaa Tounes party, spoke of "a big economic crisis... and a government incapable of finding solutions and giving Tunisians hope."
Former prime minister Ali Lareyedh, of the Islamist Ennahda party, said the government had been "too weak".
"It is time for a change," he said. Essid had already been forced into a broad reshuffle in January, when the country witnessed some of its worst social unrest since the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
His backers have condemned "pressure" from supporters of Hafedh Caid Essebsi, the president's son who is among the leaders of the Nidaa Tounes party.
Essid defended his record on Saturday, accusing his detractors of "pretending to forget" progress his government had made in fighting terrorism.
"This government was built to last... because the situation in our country required continuity," he said ahead of the vote.
He was applauded a number of times during his speech.
Several lawmakers from the left-wing opposition Popular Front party announced that they would not take part in the no-confidence vote, dismissing the procedure as "purely perfunctory".