Tunisian PM loses confidence vote

Tunisian lawmakers on Saturday passed a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Habib Essid, ending his government.

The result, albeit expected, leaves Tunisia in search for a new government and marks continued lack of stability for the country since the 2011 Arab Spring protests.

Speaking ahead of the vote Saturday, Essid said he was “aware that the vote will be against me”.

Only 3 MPs supported him, a backing dwarfed by an opposition of 118 deputies. The Essid-led coalition government, which came into office in February 2015, needed 109 votes in favor — simple majority in a 217-seat parliament — to stay in power.

Essid announced on July 20 that he would seek a confidence vote citing pressure from various political actors to resign.

President Beji Caid Essebsi, who in June called for a national unity government, is expected to offer the mandate within 10 days.