Algerian parliamentary president Mouad Bouchareb reportedly resigned on Tuesday after prolonged demands for his removal by protesters, reported Africa News.
The resignation comes three months after longtime President Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned under pressure from the army and sustained protests that began in February. He had ruled the country for 20 years.
Even after Bouteflika’s exit, the protests have continued in Algeria in the past few months, demanding a complete overhaul of the political system and the departure of Bouteflika’s allies, including interim President Abdelkader Bensalah.
“Mouad Bouchareb resigned this morning from his post as speaker of the lower chamber,” said Abdelhamid Si Afif, president of parliament’s foreign affairs commission.
Bouchareb was the former head of the ruling National Liberation Front (FLN) parliamentary group, which has ruled Algeria since independence from France in 1962. He was elected to the post in October 2018.
In recent days, pressure from politicians mounted against Bouchareb to step down as well.
“In response to demands by the protest movement and lawmakers … we call on Mr. Bouchareb to resign,” said a statement backed by a majority of politicians on Monday.
As per reports, Deputy Speaker Abdul Razzak Tarbash will run the legislature’s affairs temporarily until a new speaker is elected within 15 days.
Last month, Algeria postponed presidential elections scheduled for July 4, after the only two candidates who had submitted bids were disqualified. The government is yet to set a new date for the vote.
Interim president Abdelkader Bensalah is constitutionally due to stay in his post only until July 9.
As there’s still no solution to the political crisis, the protestors took to the streets again on Friday to demand the establishment of independent institutions. They are now calling out for the set up of transitional bodies, sweeping aside Bouteflika loyalists such as army chief Ahmed Gaid Salah who had backed the July polls.
