“Is he challenging Bouteflika in the Algerian presidential elections”
“Before the clattering cameras drove Rachid Nekkaz set in Algiers on Sunday afternoon, to formally submit his candidacy for this spring’s presidential elections.”
“the TT has been talking with the 47-year-old IT-entrepreneur who captured the young people’s interest, and that has become a symbol of the resistance against president Abdelaziz Bouteflika.”
“the Protests are continuing in Algeria.”
“The 82-year-old president Abdelaziz Bouteflikas notice that he is in conflict with the constitution, a candidate for a fifth term in office – despite the fact that his physical and mental health is severely questioned – has pushed hundreds of thousands of algerians to the streets in recent weeks.”
“the Movement to gather around a single requirements: no to a fifth term.”
“But it has also paved the way for an unusual candidate.”
“I have a massive support,” says Rachid Nekkaz to TT, who spoke with him earlier in the week.”
“The 47-year-old Nekkaz has long been a thorn in the eye of the regime. In 2014, he presented his first candidacy to the algerian presidential elections, which already was preceded by widespread protests against president Bouteflika.”
“But the plans were scuppered. Why?”
“There are two versions. Official, was named to Rachid Nekkaz candidacy was contrary to the constitution, because he had both French and algerian citizenship.”
“Nekkaz itself, which in 2013 announced that he renounced his French citizenship, believe that the police systematically prevented him from collecting the 60 000 signatures he needed to run.”
“I have repeatedly been attacked by the regime’s forces, which have been captured on video,” says Rachid Nekkaz, who has been under house arrest in several rounds since 2016.”
“Now he has got new air under my wings. At the same time as the discontent for the ruling power capriciously has a 47-year-old caught the young algeriernas interest.”
“Nekkaz has 1.6 million followers on Facebook, and it is mainly where he has marketed his new political movement – the Movement for youth and for change, MJC.”
” It is clear that the regime have panicked by now.”
“– just look at these historical protests we have seen in the last week. Algeria has been developed. Algeria is ready. Ready to turn the page.”
“at the same time accused Rachid Nekkaz from some quarters to be a dishonest fortune seekers. He has several times shown its interest even for the president of france, but failed to get the support there.”
“It is also unclear what opportunities Nekkaz has to create meaningful political alliances, as the opposition in Algeria is weak and fragmented.”
“But he himself is hopeful.”
“– My ambition is to unite with the opposition to find an alternative to present for the algerian people, ” he says.”
“a Record number of candidates have declared their interest to stand as a candidate in the Algerian presidential elections, which will be held on 18 april 2019. But few are considered to have a chance, and several of them have strong links to political power. One of them is the former military Ali Ghediri, who has long worked in the algerian ministry of defense. He has gone to the choice to challenge the ruling elite, but belongs to no party.”
“the Candidates challenging president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who is 82 years old, has been in power for 20 years. Bouteflika has previously served as minister of foreign affairs, and was elected president in 1999, my during the civil war that in ten years time caused about 200 000 people dead. He is considered to have played a crucial role in the war ended in 2002, and has occasionally been well-liked. But after a stroke in 2013 shows Bouteflika rarely in public. His health is shrouded in mystery, and many suspect that the country is in fact ruled by a group of influential men around him, including his brother Saïd.”
“Bouteflika is believed to currently be in Switzerland, where he is being treated for an unknown ailment. Swiss media have reported that the president should stay there over the weekend, and Bouteflikas party has announced that his candidacy can be submitted through a representative.”
“Several political parties of the opposition boycotting the elections, including the country’s largest islamist party, the MSP.”
