Continuation of Algerian Student Protests Against Bouteflika's Re-election Bid

Thousands of Algerian students continued protests in the capital and other cities on Tuesday for the fifth consecutive day against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's decision to run for re-election. Mr. Bouteflika, who has ruled Algeria for 20 years, intends to seek a fifth consecutive term. According to Reuters, despite these unprecedented public protests in Algeria, Mr. Bouteflika's campaign manager stated that the president would submit his official candidacy documents on March 3, the day before the election. He added, "Candidacy in the election is his right." The protests mark the fifth day of student demonstrations but the first day that state media managers allowed reporters to cover the protests. The main demand of the students is for Abdelaziz Bouteflika to withdraw from the upcoming presidential election. The 81-year-old Bouteflika suffered a stroke in 2013 and has rarely appeared in public since, having not given a speech for years. The demonstrators, chanting "peaceful, peaceful," also called for government action to create job opportunities, as over a quarter of Algerians under 30 are currently unemployed. Dozens marched in downtown Algiers, while hundreds of other students gathered on university campuses. Police prevented them from joining the protesters in the streets. Residents of other Algerian cities, including Bejaia, Tizi Ouzou, Blida, and Bouira, also reported to Reuters that hundreds protested there as well. The state news agency of Algeria reported that the demonstrators are calling for "change and reforms." Mr. Bouteflika has not yet commented on these protests. Government officials recently stated without further details that he would travel to Geneva for treatment, but his departure from the country has not been officially confirmed. Reuters adds that for years, most Algerians have avoided public political involvement out of fear of security institutions or have completely sidelined politics. Since Algeria's independence from France in 1962, the same generation of veteran politicians has ruled the country. Abdelaziz Bouteflika has been president since 1999 and considers ending a decade of armed Islamist group insurgency as his achievement. The people of this country have endured the ruling political system for decades as the price for peace and stability. However, it seems that the new wave of protests has broken the old taboo regarding public political discussions. According to opponents, Mr. Bouteflika lacks the necessary health to lead the country, and in fact, his advisors govern in his name. However, the government claims that Mr. Bouteflika, despite not appearing in public for years, still personally holds power. The weak Algerian opposition, which is deeply divided, is unlikely to challenge Mr. Bouteflika in the elections. Since the National Liberation Front, the party that has been in power since independence, re-nominated Mr. Bouteflika, several political parties, labor unions, and economic and commercial institutions have supported his candidacy.