Under the constitution, the president of the upper house, the Council of Nations, steps in as interim leader for a maximum of 90 days so that elections can be organized. Gaid Salah added two more articles called for by protesters, notably Artricle 7, which stipulates that "the people are the source of power." After taking power in 1999, Bouteflika managed to bring back stability to a country devastated by killings and distrust. As president, age and illness took its toll, and corruption scandals dogged him and associates. In a country where secrecy surrounds the leadership, it has never been clear whether Bouteflika was fully in charge or whether the powerful army was pulling the strings.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 02, 2019 19:40 UTC