Ex-PM elected Algeria's new president, to protesters' dismay

A former prime minister and loyalist of Algeria’s influential army chief has been elected the country’s new president

ALGIERS, Algeria — Abdelmadjid Tebboune, a former prime minister and loyalist of Algeria’s influential army chief, was elected the oil-rich nation’s new president in a vote boycotted by members of a vibrant pro-democracy movement, electoral authorities said Friday.

Tebboune, 74, received 58.15% of the vote in this North African country, according to the head of the National Independent Electoral Authority, Mohamed Charfi. Turnout was just 41%, reflecting the frustration of many Algerians who hoped to see new faces among the candidates.

Tebboune served briefly as prime minister in 2017 under ex-President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who was ousted in April by peaceful protests that have been called Algeria’s Arab Spring.

The election of Tebboune, an establishment figure, provided little hope to protesters who believe the poll was rigged in favor of the old regime.

Tebboune is reportedly close to powerful army chief Gaid Salah, a much-criticized figure among members of the protest movement that began in February. They seek fresh elections, new leadership and an end to corruption.

Algeria is one of the most youthful countries in the world, with two-thirds of the population under 30. A quarter of those youth are out of work, leading to discontent with the country’s veteran rulers and the opaque policies that have left them behind.

The electoral authority was recently created in an attempt at transparency in a nation where leaders have been thought to be chosen in advance by the elite.

This election’s low turnout compares to the nearly 52% in 2014, when Bouteflika won with 81% of the vote.

Former minister Abdelkader Bengrina came in second in Thursday’s vote with 17%, with former Prime Minister Ali Benflis third with 10%.

Tebboune endured insults and protests during the 22-day campaign and he canceled his final rally in the capital, Algiers. Thousands of protesters took to the streets on election day chanting “No to elections of shame” and “Generals in the garbage.” Algerian media reported numerous arrests.

The president-elect has already suffered setbacks. The man in charge of his campaign financing, Omar Alilat, has been jailed on corruption charges. And Tebboune’s son will be questioned Dec. 5 in a drug case, according to Algeria’s national television.

Tebboune held ministerial posts in successive Bouteflika governments, responsible for issues including communications and urbanism. He was prime minister between May and August 2017 but was fired by Said Bouteflika, the ex-president’s all-powerful younger brother, who was convicted in September on corruption charges and is serving 15 years in prison. Tebboune reportedly made decisions that ran counter to powerful businessmen in Bouteflika’s entourage who are now also in prison for graft.

Tebboune during his campaign tried to put forward an image of a man who went after oligarchs in Said Bouteflika’s circle, but he had a hard time making voters forget his ties to the Bouteflika clan.

For two decades, Algeria was ruled by Bouteflika and other survivors of the 1954-1962 War of Independence against colonial power France.

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Adamson reported from Paris. Elaine Ganley in Paris contributed.