MPs in Tunisia vote overwhelmingly to dismiss Prime Minister Habib Essid amid discontent over delayed reforms.
ADVERTISEMENTMPs in Tunisia’s parliament have overwhelmingly voted to dismiss Prime Minister Habib Essid from office.
The no-confidence ballot stemmed from discontent over delays in implementing a financial reform package aimed at creating economic growth and jobs.
A total of 118 parliamentarians voted against Essid, while just three were in favour, meaning his government is effectively sacked. The US-trained economist is now expected to resign and President Beji Caid Essebsi has called for a new unity government.
The pair clashed earlier in 2016 over the best way to tackle political divisions within the four-party ruling coalition.
Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid loses confidence vote in Parliament, after 18 months in office. pic.twitter.com/zB30spjRhV
— PTV World (@WorldPTV) July 31, 2016
Essid, 67, had been in office for less than two years when the vote took place. In 2015 alone Tunisia was the target of three Islamist militant attacks. Two were gun attacks targeting foreign nationals, which provoked sharp losses in the tourism industry.
An important source of jobs, the sector makes up some eight percent of the Tunisian economy, down from a projected 13 percent if the attacks had not taken place.