Pressured by protesters, Algeria parliament chief quits

Bouchareb bowed out three months after long-time president Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned under pressure from sustained protests seeking root-and-branch reform and an end to systemic corruption and cronyism.

Authorities have postponed a presidential election previously planned for July 4 because of a lack of candidates, with no new date set for the vote.

“Bouchareb has resigned as the boss of parliament. He will be replaced by a caretaker before a new one is named,” the parliamentary source said, adding that Terbech Abderazak, a member of the parliament, would take over the job temporarily.

Protesters and the army drove Bouteflika out after two decades in power on April 2, but public pressure has continued for the departure and prosecution of senior figures believed to be associated with him.

Bouchareb is a former head of the National Liberation Front (FLN) Party, which has ruled Algeria since independence from France in 1962.
Bouchareb was replaced as FLN leader in May.