Prime Minister-designate Hichem Mechichi pledged to combat poverty and protect vulnerable groups as he sought Tuesday a vote of confidence for his proposed lineup.

He said as he addressed MPs he is committed to putting in place a strategy to tackle poverty in a bid to improve the socio-economic situation in the country.

The cabinet has five socio-economic priorities, namely alleviating poverty and protecting vulnerable grous affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the PM-designate further said.

He said, in this vein, he will enforce decisions made by previous governments to fight precarious employment and endeavour to improve the purchasing power which deteriorated since 2011. Similarly, speculation needs to be addressed to keep prices under control.