Businessman close to Algeria’s Bouteflika under pressure to quit
Strategic partners, from members of the governing FLN party to trade unionists, have abandoned the president
Algiers — One of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s few remaining allies in the face of mass protests, business leader Ali Haddad, is facing pressure to quit as head of Algeria’s main business association, a move that would further weaken the embattled head of state. Bouteflika’s long-time strategic partners, from members of the governing FLN party to trade unionists, have abandoned the president, peeling away layers of his ruling elite. The 82-year-old president relied on influential figures like Ali Haddad, who has made billions through public works projects awarded by the government and investments in the media. He funded Bouteflika’s election campaigns and heads the FCE, a top business association whose leaders have been long-time supporters of the president. Resignations The forum for entrepreneurs has been hit by a series of resignations from members who have turned their backs on Bouteflika since the protests began on February 22. “Voices inside the FCE exist and they have publ...
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