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Powerful Algerian party abandons beleaguered Bouteflika
Source: Reuters
WORLD NEWS MARCH 20, 2019 / 5:27 AM / UPDATED 19 MINUTES AGO
Powerful Algerian party abandons beleaguered Bouteflika
Lamine Chikhi, Hamid Ould Ahmed
3 MIN READ
ALGIERS (Reuters) - An influential Algerian party that was a long-time supporter of Abdelaziz Bouteflika has criticized the ailing president for seeking to stay in power, another setback for the ruling elite in the face of mass demonstrations.
The National Rally for Democracy (RND), a member of the ruling coalition, has joined ruling party officials, unions and business tycoons who have abandoned Bouteflika in recent days, after nearly a month of street demonstrations protests.
“The candidacy of president Abdelaziz Bouteflika for a new term was a big mistake,” RND spokesman Seddik Chihab told El Bilad TV.
“Extra constitutional forces have seized power in the past few years and ruled state affairs outside a legal framework.”
Bouteflika, who has ruled for 20 years, bowed to the protesters last week by reversing plans to stand for a fifth term. But he stopped short of stepping down and said he would stay in office until a new constitution is adopted, effectively extending his present term.
-snip-
Powerful Algerian party abandons beleaguered Bouteflika
Lamine Chikhi, Hamid Ould Ahmed
3 MIN READ
ALGIERS (Reuters) - An influential Algerian party that was a long-time supporter of Abdelaziz Bouteflika has criticized the ailing president for seeking to stay in power, another setback for the ruling elite in the face of mass demonstrations.
The National Rally for Democracy (RND), a member of the ruling coalition, has joined ruling party officials, unions and business tycoons who have abandoned Bouteflika in recent days, after nearly a month of street demonstrations protests.
“The candidacy of president Abdelaziz Bouteflika for a new term was a big mistake,” RND spokesman Seddik Chihab told El Bilad TV.
“Extra constitutional forces have seized power in the past few years and ruled state affairs outside a legal framework.”
Bouteflika, who has ruled for 20 years, bowed to the protesters last week by reversing plans to stand for a fifth term. But he stopped short of stepping down and said he would stay in office until a new constitution is adopted, effectively extending his present term.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-algeria-protests/powerful-algerian-party-abandons-beleaguered-bouteflika-idUSKCN1R10WM