Lawmakers named the speaker of the upper house as Algeria’s first new President in two decades on April 9, 2019 state television reported, after the resignation of Abdelaziz Bouteflika following mass protests. The election of Abdelkader Bensalah as interim President follows constitutional rules but goes against the demands of demonstrators, who have pushed for him and other top politicians to stand down. “I want to work towards fulfilling the interests of the people,” Bensalah told Parliament on taking up the 90-day interim presidency. “It’s is great responsibility that the Constitution demands of me.” Opposition parties refused to back Bensalah’s election and boycotted the session, as hundreds protested against him.

Algeria will hold a presidential election on July 4, 2019, the interim President Abdelkader Bensalah’s office said.....Read more