Bouteflika ceded to opponents Monday by withdrawing his candidacy for a fifth term. But joy in the streets soon gave way to scepticism over the second part of his announcement: his decision to delay an April 18 election without setting a new date. That could leave him in power indefinitely.
Protesters question Bouteflika’s fitness for office after a 2013 stroke that has left him largely hidden from public view. They’re also angry at what’s seen as a corrupt and out-of-touch power structure that has grown rich under Bouteflika while millions see little gain from the country’s gas wealth.
Many protesters are now demanding that Bouteflika step down April 18 instead of waiting for a new vote.Young people have been at the forefront of the push against the 82-year-old president, and thousands of students thronged the streets of Algiers on Tuesday. Broad, nationwide protests are expected Friday.
Bouteflika ousted his prime minister as a gesture to protesters, but replaced him with a loyalist.The president is expected to name prominent international peacemaker Lakhdar Brahimi to head a new “national conference” aimed at setting an election date and drafting a new constitution.
