Analysis & Opinions - WBEZ 91.5 Chicago

After 20 Years With A Single President, Algeria Looks For A New Leader

| Apr. 17, 2019

After months of mass anti-government protests, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika stepped down in early April after 20 years of rule. Protesters sought to take down a political system they said was corrupt, concentrating power in the hands of a few military, intelligence and business leaders. The tipping point came when Bouteflika, 82, announced he would run for a fifth term in office; protesters responded with slogans including “leave means leave” and “no fifth term.” 

It remains unclear who will replace Bouteflika in the long term, though an election date has been set for July 4. In the meantime, Interim President Abdelkader Bensalah on Tuesday appointed a new head of Algeria’s Constitutional Council. The former chief resigned amid intense pressure from pro-democracy protesters. Joining Worldview to help us understand what comes next for Algeria is Yuree Noh. Noh is a postdoctoral research fellow with the Middle East Initiative at Harvard University’s Belfer Center.

 

To listen to the full interview with Yuree Noh click here.

For more information on this publication: Belfer Communications Office
For Academic Citation: “After 20 Years With A Single President, Algeria Looks For A New Leader.” WBEZ 91.5 Chicago, April 17, 2019.

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Julian Hayda

Julian Hayda

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