Algeria’s army chief on Monday called for elections later this year to choose a new president after mass protests forced the resignation in April of veteran leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika, state media reported.
State television cited Lieutenant General Ahmed Gaed Saleh as saying the electoral commission “should issue a call on September 15,” a move that under Algerian law would come 90 days before the presidential election.
An election had been scheduled for July, but the authorities cancelled it, citing a lack of candidates without naming a new election date.
Protesters had also demanded the elections be postponed until the old ruling elite, including the interim president Abdelkader Bensalah and Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui, was forced from power.
The army, now the main player in Algerian politics, has repeatedly urged the opposition to cooperate in holding an election as soon as possible.
Algeria’s judiciary has meanwhile opened corruption investigations into numerous former senior officials and allies of Bouteflika.
Also Read
-
Algeria’s culture minister resigns after deadly concert stampede
Algeria’s Culture Minister Meriem Merdaci resigned on Saturday, following the deaths of five young music fans in a stampede at a packed concert ... North Africa -
Algeria court orders former ministers held over corruption allegations
Algeria’s Supreme Court on Monday ordered two former ministers to be taken into custody over corruption allegations under former president ... North Africa -
Bouteflika’s ex-party chief detained in Algeria corruption probe
The former head of ousted Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s party was placed in provisional detention on Sunday on allegations including ... North Africa -
Algeria opposition groups call for polls in six months
Algerian opposition parties and civil society figures called on Saturday for elections to take place in six months, after the interim president pushed ... North Africa
