Algeria’s Bouteflika Announces Postponement of 2019 Presidential Election..Abandons His Bid to Seek 5th Term

ALGIERS- President of Algeria Abdelaziz Bouteflika sent Monday a message to the nation in which he announced the postponement of the Presidential Elections of 18 April 2019, and his decision to renounce his bid to seek a 5th term as president.

President Bouteflika also announced the holding of the Presidential Election a an extension of the National Inclusive and Independent Conference as well as the formation of a government of the national competences.

Here are some excerpts of President Bouteflika’s  message as reported by the Algerian Press Service (APS).

“Algeria is living through a sensitive stage of its History. On March 8, for the third consecutive Friday, major popular marches took place across the country. I have followed these developments, and as I already announced on March 3rd, I do understand the motivations of the numerous compatriots who choose this way of expression of which I once again hail the peaceful nature, The President said.

 “I particularly understand the message given by youth, in terms of anxiety and ambition for their own future and that of the country. I also understand the gap which may have been the source of concern, between the holding of the Presidential Election on a technically appropriate date, as a milestone of governance in the institutional and political life, and the opening, without delay of a large and high priority undertaking at the political level,” he added.

In his message, President Bouteflika announced that he will not run for a fifth term as president.

 “There will be no fifth term and there has never been any question for me, since my health condition and my age assign me as an ultimate duty, to the Algerian people; the contribution to the foundations of a new Republic as part of the new Algerian system that we all strive for. This new Republic and this new system will be in the hands of the new generations of Algerians, men and women, who will naturally be the main actors and beneficiaries of public life and sustainable development in the Algeria of tomorrow,” the Bouteflika said.

He added: “There will be no Presidential Election on April 18th. This is to meet a pressing request that you have been many to express to me in your concern to remove any misunderstanding as to the desirability and irreversibility of the generational transmission to which I am committed. It is also a matter of making prevail the noble purpose of the legal devices which resides in a sound regulation of the institutional life and in the harmony of the socio-political interactions, on a rigid fulfillment of pre-established rendezvous.

The postponement of the Presidential Election that has been demanded comes therefore to ease the apprehensions that have been expressed in order to pave the way for spreading serenity, tranquility and public security, with the aim of undertaking together the actions of paramount importance which will make it possible to prepare as quickly as possible the advent of a new era in Algeria.”

 He went on to say: “With a view to greater mobilization from the public authorities and enhancing the effectiveness of the State’s action in all areas, I decided to make capital changes within the Government in the near future. These changes are set to be an adequate response to the expectations you voiced to me, as well as an illustration of my receptivity to the requirement of accountability and rigorous assessment, as part of the exercise of senior positions at all levels and in all sectors.”

H.M