The country’s ruling coalition — which includes the president’s National Liberation Front — lent its backing to Bouteflika earlier this month. Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia has said Bouteflika’s health was not “an obstacle” to performing presidential duties. Retired general Ali Ghediri, 64, was the first to announce his candidacy after the presidency set the election date. Algeria’s main Islamist party, the Movement for the Society of Peace, will also take part, backing its candidate Abderrazak Makri. It has said Bouteflika would be unable to handle the demands of another term in office because of ill health.

Source: The Guardian February 10, 2019 14:03 UTC