Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced his withdrawal from the presidential race on Monday, postponing the April 18 election amid sustained public protests against his bid for a fifth term. The 82-year-old leader, who has governed since 1999, stated he would not seek a fifth consecutive term and would transfer power to a successor chosen by the people.
In a statement carried by state media, Bouteflika outlined plans for a national conference on political reforms to conclude by end-2019, with the election rescheduled afterward. His decision followed weeks of street demonstrations and legal challenges from judges and lawyers who argued his health disqualified him from candidacy.
Celebratory honking echoed through Algiers streets after the announcement. Bouteflika's office also named Interior Minister Noureddine Bedoui as prime minister, replacing Ahmed Ouyahia in a government reshuffle. The president, who has rarely appeared publicly since a 2013 stroke, returned from a medical trip to Switzerland days earlier.
Legal professionals launched a 48-hour strike demanding the Constitutional Council reject his candidacy on grounds of incapacity. Over 1,000 judges also protested, vowing not to oversee the election if he remained a candidate. A separate statement from military chief Lt Gen Gaed Salah emphasized unity between the armed forces and citizens in shaping Algeria's future.
