Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune returned back home on Friday after one month of hospital treatment in Germany for surgery following post-Covid-19 complications in his foot, reported Reuters.
“The President of the Republic, Supreme Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defence, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, returned today,” the state television reported.
The state broadcaster, however, did not broadcast any images of his arrival.
The 75-year-old Tebboune was hospitalized in Germany last year after contracting Covid-19 and stayed for two long months before returning to Algeria. He returned to Germany in January this year and underwent a successful operation on his foot, according to the presidency.
The Algerian president came to office in December 2019, around eight months after the popular Hirak protest movement that led to the stepping down of the long-term ailing leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Tebboune’s return comes amid tension in the North African nation ahead of the second anniversary of the launch of the Hirak movement on February 22. The protesters had continued with the protests even after Bouteflika’s fall, demanding a full overhaul of the ruling system in place since Algeria’s 1962 independence from France.
However, social distancing to curb the coronavirus pandemic forced protesters to halt their street rallies early last year.
Algerians have been awaiting the implementation of economic and political reforms Tebboune promised after coming to the office. He has vowed to take steps aimed at diversifying the country’s economy away from oil and gas, which account for 60% of the state budget and 94% of total export revenue.
The North African OPEC member country has been under financial pressure due to a sharp fall in energy earnings, forcing the government to cut spending and delay some planned investment projects.
Another key issue that needs attention is the development of the new electoral law ahead of anticipated local and legislative elections slated to be held by the end of the year.
A government reshuffle is also expected.
