Protests against Bouteflika running for fourth term in office

Protests against the nomination of the Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika for the fourth consecutive term have increased and became a source of instability in the country, Today’s Opinion said today.

According to the paper, which monitored the Algerian media, many Algerian newspapers, including those close to the ruling regime, reported protest activities such as marches and clashes. They said the cause of clashes in Gardaia was the elections.

Algerian officials said they had not expected such protests as they believed Bouteflika enjoyed national agreement and would be a reason for stability in the country.

Today’s Opinion said Bouteflika’s electoral campaign managers face criticism and protests held by the youth everywhere they carry out their activities. They said they held a number of campaign meetings under strict security protection.

Observers expected that the increasing protests against Bouteflika would encourage political parties to take to the streets and setup sit-ins. Activists of the Barakat (Enough) have decided to hold five protests and rallies in five different cities in Algeria.

Barakat, which was established two months ago, said 77-year-old Bouteflika is unfit to run for the elections and govern the country. However, he has never appeared publically in any of his campaign meetings.

Some politicians believe nominating Bouteflika could trigger an uprising in Algeria.