By RFIPosted on 26-10-2019Modified on 26-10-2019 at 16:49
In Algeria, it is this October 26 at midnight that expires the deadline for submitting candidate files for the presidential elections. Former Minister of Culture Azzedine Mihoubi and the president of a small Islamist party Abdelkader Bengrina have already submitted their candidacy. This Saturday morning, new candidates came forward.
In the morning, it was first Ali Zeghdoud, over 80 years old, president of a small party, Rassemblement Algerien (RA), who went to the premises of the organization of the elections , the Independent National Electoral Authority (ANIE). Little known, he was the first to file a candidate file for the election scheduled for April 17 . At the time, there was still talk of a fifth term of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Abdelmadjid Tebboune , 73, also introduced his case. Former wali and several times minister. He was the prime minister of Abdelaziz Bouteflika for a few months in 2017, before being thanked. Faced with the press, this former close friend of Abdelaziz Bouteflika said there was no alternative to the election.
The question that arises is that of the candidacy of Ali Benflis. Former head of government of Abdelaziz Bouteflika, he was then positioned as opponent of the president. Ali Benflis had announced his candidacy for the April 17 election, before giving up after the second week of protests. On the 15th of September, he thought, this time, that all the conditions were in place, while the demonstrations - they - did not stop.
It remains to be seen whether he will go all the way.
On the same subject
Presidential election in Algeria: mobilization before the end of candidacy
Algeria: Protesters say no to the December 12 presidential election
Algeria: Benflis and Tebboune announce presidential candidatures
Algeria: parties and civil society mistrust after announcement of presidential election
comments