Tunisian no-confidence vote puts Prime Minister under threat

Tunisia’s Parliament is holding a no-confidence vote that is expected to decide the fate of technocratic Prime Minister Habib Essid, a US-trained agricultural economist whose authority has suffered amid the country’s economic and social turmoil.
The odds are stacked against Essid, who has been criticized by both the four-party ruling coalition and Tunisia’s opposition. Essid himself appears resigned to a negative outcome; while defending his record, Essid told lawmakers on Saturday that he was “not attached to this job.” Nevertheless, he said, “I wanted, in accordance with the constitution, to address the parliament, which gave me its confidence and which has the power to withdraw it.”
Essid’s position has been undermined by political maneuvering within secular Nida Tounis party and pressure from President Beji Caid Essebsi, who critics say is trying to raise the profile of his son, Hafedh, by removing Essid from power.

Source: Arab News