Algeria

ALGIERS, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Experts believe that the newly-elected Algerian president is facing complex political and economic challenges.

Former Prime Minister Abdelmadjid Tebboune was recently elected Algerian president, following months of public protests that ousted former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika in April.

"In light of the continuing public protests, the new president will certainly try to call up the opposition for dialogue," said Noureddine Bekkis, professor of political sociology with the University of Algiers.

15 Dec 2019; MEMO: Algerian security forces have carried out a massive detention campaign on Friday, against protesters rejecting the presidential elections. Protesters chanted slogans against the new president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, a former loyalist of ousted leader, Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

13 Dec 2019; MEMO: Former Prime Minister Abdelmadjid Tebboune was elected Algeria’s new president after a vote the authorities hope will end months of turmoil, but demonstrators who toppled his predecessor Abdelaziz Bouteflika vowed that their movement would not stop, Reuters reports.

09 Dec 2019; MEMO: The Algerian Movement of Society for Peace (the largest Islamic party in the country) announced on Sunday that it would not support any of the candidates for the presidential elections scheduled for next Thursday.

This came in a statement, seen by Anadolu Agency, the party issued after a series of consultations between Executive Office and the movement’s leadership bodies.

04 Dec 2019; MEMO: Algeria’s National Independent Authority for Elections (ANIE) announced on Monday that the five presidential candidates would participate in a television debate on Friday ahead of the elections scheduled for December 12.

ANIE spokesman, Ali Draa said in a statement that the date of the televised debate between the five presidential candidates would take place on Friday.

ALGIERS, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- The campaign of the presidential election will officially start on Sunday in Algeria, the official APS news agency reported Thursday.

President of Algerian Independent Election Monitoring Authority Mohamed Chorfi said on Thursday that all technical and human resources were mobilized to ensure the smooth running of the presidential election campaign before the voting on Dec. 12.

He added that all these means will ensure "equity among all candidates in coverage of their activities and statements" and they will guarantee voters "free choice."

13 Nov 2019; MEMO: A court in Algeria yesterday sentenced 21 protesters to six months in jail for “undermining national unity”, local media reported.

The court’s verdict included a six-month suspended prison sentence for protesters arrested for raising a flag representing the country’s Berber minority, Algeria Press Service (APS) said.

4 Nov 2019; MEMO: Algeria’s supreme court on Monday placed in custody a former culture minister over corruption allegations under former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, state television reported, reports Reuters.

3 Nov 2019; MEMO: Five candidates will run in Algeria’s presidential election next month, including two former prime ministers, the head of the election authority said on Saturday, amid mass protests rejecting the vote.

The authorities have repeatedly said the December 12 vote would be the only way to get out of a crisis Algeria been facing since the resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in April under pressure from protesters.

16 Oct 2019; MEMO: The Algerian cabinet has approved a bill banning retired military personnel from running for office or conducting political activities for five years after retirement while preserving their right to vote in elections.