Algeria interim leader calls for ‘dialogue’ over election

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Algiers: Algerian president Abdul Kader Bin Salah on Thursday called for “dialogue” after the authorities ruled out holding a planned election on July 4.

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Bin Salah urged the political class and civil society in the North African country to hold an “inclusive dialogue” aimed at fixing a new date for elections “as soon as possible” in a televised address.

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Algeria’s constitutional council said Sunday it was impossible to stage the poll to choose a successor to ousted president Abdul Aziz Bouteflika early next month, after the only two candidates were rejected.

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The move comes after weeks of demonstrations intented to pressure political leaders into postponing the vote.

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Bin Salah, the former upper house speaker, was appointed on April 9 under constitutional rules which deem a presidential election must then be held within 90 days.

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With that deadline certain to be missed, the constitutional council has suggested his mandate be extended.

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The planned vote had drawn widespread protests, with Algerian demonstrators demanding Bouteflika allies step aside to make way for a broader political overhaul before any elections are held.

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Army chief Ahmad Gaid Salah has emerged as a key powerbroker since Bouteflika stepped down on April 2 in the face of mass protests against his bid for a fifth term.

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Gaid Salah had been an ally of the ailing president, but as pressure from demonstrators mounted he ultimately called for the long-time leader’s impeachment.

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Protesters have since called for Gaid Salah to step down, along with other top figures they argue are tainted by their allegiance to Bouteflika during his 20-year rule.

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While Gaid Salah had pushed for polls, July 4 looked increasingly implausible as no major party nominated a candidate.

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A major obstacle emerged when some mayors and magistrates said they would not take part in organising the polls.

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The two unknown figures who put themselves forward — Abdul Hakim Hamadi and Hamid Touahri — had not been expected to gather the necessary 60,000 voter signatures to validate their bid for office.

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