Algeria's Parliament President Resigns After Prolonged Demands By Protesters

Newly installed Algerian parliament president Moad Bouchareb has resigned from his position on Tuesday, after prolonged demands for his removal by protesters who saw him as part of the elite that has plunged the country into recent political stalemate.

Bouchareb left office three months after longtime President Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned under pressure from sustained protests seeking root-and-branch reform and an end to systemic corruption and cronyism.

Authorities have postponed a presidential election previously planned for July 4 because of a lack of candidates, with no new date set for the vote.

“Bouchareb has resigned as the boss of parliament, he will be replaced by a caretaker before a new one is named,” the parliamentary source said. The source said Terbech Abderazak, a member of parliament, would take over the job temporarily.

Bouteflika resigned on April 2 after two decades in power, with the aid of the army, but public pressure has continued for the departure and prosecution of top government officials loyal to him.

Bouchareb is a former head of the National Liberation Front (FLN) party, which has ruled Algeria since independence from France in 1962. Bouchareb was replaced as FLN leader in May.

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