The North African country has been rocked for weeks by demonstrations rejecting plans by incumbent President to seek another office term for the next five years. The 82-year old and ailing President will reportedly submit his application for the April elections on March 3. Given the growing national discontent against the fifth term, the ruling FLN has planned a counter-demonstration nationwide on March 2 to endorse Bouteflika’s candidacy. A lawmaker from the FLN told Huffpost Algerie on condition of anonymity that several members of the party have refused to subscribe to the planned counter-demonstration and to Bouteflika’s fifth candidacy. “Friday demonstrations have freed the freedom of speech within the party.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 27, 2019 13:07 UTC