Thousands of protesters reject Algerian interim president
Upper house chair Abdelkader Bensalah seen as part of ruling caste that has dominated the country since independence
Algiers — Thousands of protesters rejected the Algerian parliament’s choice of an interim president on Tuesday after the resignation of Abdelaziz Bouteflika, demanding immediate steps to remove the old guard and introduce sweeping democratic reforms. The appointment of upper house chair Abdelkader Bensalah accords with Algeria’s constitution but many people oppose him because he is part of a ruling caste that has dominated Algeria since independence from France in 1962. The protest movement demands the overhaul of a secretive political system built around veterans of the 1954-1962 war of independence against France, ruling party figures, big businessmen and the army. “Appointing Bensalah will fuel anger and it could radicalise the protesters,” said taxi driver Hassen Rahmine. The critical question is how Algeria’s powerful military — long seen as a highly effective backstage player in politics — will react to Bensalah’s appointment and any opposition that arises. “I thank the army a...
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