Protesters reject ‘offspring of the system’

Demonstrators thronged the streets of the Algerian capital on Friday to renew their opposition to a presidential election they say will keep in power a political elite rejected by the people. The protest occurred ahead of today’s start of campaigning for the 12 December vote. A report on the News24 site notes that demonstrations have gripped Algeria every week since February when protesters took to the streets of the capital and major cities against former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's bid for a fifth term in office. He stepped down in April under pressure from the street. Powerful army chief General Ahmed Gaid Salahhas led a push for presidential polls by the end of 2019, after an earlier date was missed because no candidates came forward. ‘The elections will not take place,’ the protesters chanted. They claim the candidates are all ‘offspring of the system’.