Tunisia's parliament gathered today for a vote of confidence that could see Prime Minister Habib Essid unseated after just a year and a half in office.
Essid's government has been widely criticised for failing to tackle the country's economic crisis, high unemployment and a series of jihadist attacks.
"I'm quite aware that the vote will be against me," Essid, 67, told parliament ahead of the planned vote.
"I didn't come to obtain the 109 votes (needed to remain in office). I came to expose things to the people and to members of parliament," he said.
Voting is expected to take place at around 2300 GMT following several hours of speeches by MPs and a response by Essid, said the president of the assembly, Mohamed Ennaceur.
Essid has been under growing pressure since President Beji Caid Essebsi appeared on local television in June to slam the administration and propose creating a new government of national unity.
The premier said he would be ready to resign "if the country's interest demanded it", but has said he refused to leave under pressure without a vote of confidence.
If Essid loses the vote, Essebsi would be required to choose the "most suitable person" to form a new government.
Several parties, including the four that make up Essid's coalition, have said they will vote to oust him.
Speculation is growing about a successor, but no front runner has emerged so far.
MPs today praised Essid for his "integrity" but also criticised his record.
Abdelaziz Kotti, of Nidaa Tounes, 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".
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 supporters 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 today, 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.
He was applauded at several points during his speech.
Tunisian media doubted that Essid's departure would solve the country's problems.
