Concerns about Algerian president's health brushed aside

Concerns about the health of the President of Algeria have been brushed aside by the chairman of the ruling national Liberation Front. Ammar Saadani said that the mental and cognitive abilities of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s are active and confirmed that he would continue to rule the country.

Bouteflika, 78, suffered a stroke last year that put him into a French hospital for months and fuelled speculation over whether he would step down and make way for a transition. He has been seen only rarely in public since, usually appearing on state television meeting foreign dignitaries. The president has been to a Paris clinic for check-ups since his illness; French government sources said that he was admitted to a Grenoble hospital last month.

Although Bouteflika was re-elected for a fourth consecutive term earlier this year, several opposition parties in Algeria have demanded an early presidential election. They claim that his poor health is a major obstacle to proper governance, which paralyses the decision-making process.

“The president’s motor skills are reduced because of the neurological accident,” said Saadani, “but he leads the country with his mental faculties and cognitive abilities and those are intact.” The FLN chief said that he understands that some members of the opposition are impatient and in a hurry for change. “However, the Algerian people voted for Bouteflika in 2014 knowing that his motor skills were reduced,” he said in a written statement.

Analysts have been expecting a government reshuffle to take place soon, including the nomination of a new prime minister and key cabinet posts. Saadani said that he hopes that the new PM will come from his party’s ranks.