A month ago, on October 28, the Algerian president, infected with the coronavirus, was transferred to a hospital in Germany. The Algerian authorities communicate little on the state of health of Abdelmadjid Tebboune, 75 years old, except to say that he is improving. Faced with this opacity, Algerians are worried about paralysis at the top of the state.
Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s last public appearance was on October 15, according to local media. Since then, no image of the head of state No precise date of return to Algeria.
Despite the few communiques from power, Algerians wonder about the president’s state of health and wonder who is in charge of the country. Especially since the current political, health and economic context requires decision-making at the top of the State.
The memory of Bouteflika
In the absence of Abdelmadjib Tebboune, some cases remain pending, starting with the Constitution. An amendment was adopted, despite a record abstention rate, in the November 1 referendum. It was the first major project for President Tebboune. The ballot was finally held without him. And almost a month later, the amended text has still not entered into force since the Head of State is not there to ratify it.
Article 102 of the Algerian Constitution provides for the procedure to be followed in the event of the president’s incapacity, but it has not been activated for the moment.
For Algerians, the prolonged absence of Abdelmadjid Tebboune awakens the memory of the situation experienced with former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, victim of a stroke in 2013.
