New reports suggest Algeria’s parliament will meet on Tuesday to name an interim successor to Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Bouteflika resigned last week after two decades in power following mass protests. The protestors are demanding for democratic reforms after almost 60 years of monolithic rule by veterans of the 1954-62 independence war against France.
“It was decided to hold a meeting of the two chambers of parliament on Tuesday … at
According to Algeria’s Constitution, both chambers of the assembly need to formally confirm the vacancy of the presidency and elect an upper house president to run the country on an interim basis for three months until elections. Abdelkader Bensalah, who is the current upper house chairman is expected to take the presidential reins now. He is to serve for up to 90 days, during which a presidential election will be organised.
Salim Rabahi, communications head for the upper house of parliament, said the legislators are expected to finalize the vacancy of the post of president and then designate Abdelkader Bensalah as head of state.
But, as Algerians want a completely new political landscape, they are pressuring Prime Minister Nouredine Bedoui, head of a Constitutional Council, Tayeb Belaiz, and Bensalah to quit as they are seen as close to the establishment. They see the three as part of an old guard which helped keep Bouteflika in power for 20 years.
The demonstrators once again took to the streets on Friday in a continued push for sweeping reform, calling out key Bouteflika allies who have been entrusted with overseeing the political transition. They want all those who have served Bouteflika faithfully should follow his lead and resign. They are calling for transitional institutions to be set up to implement reforms and guarantee free elections.
