Algeria appointed a new interim president yesterday who announced presidential elections will take place on the 4th of July, after waves of recent protests saw their long-term president of 20 years step down.
Interim leader and speaker of the Algerian parliament’s upper house Abdelkader Bensalah announced that free elections would be held within 90 days in accordance with the Constitution.
82-year old President Abdelaziz Bouteflika stepped down following recent protests for his removal, however 77-year old Mr Bensalah is seen as a close political ally and campaign operative.
In a country where 70% of people are under the age of 30 and youth employment is high, protests have been ongoing since February in a move to oust the country’s established ruling elite.