Retired Algerian General Ghadiri Announces Presidential Bid

(@FahadShabbir)

Retired Algerian General Ghadiri Announces Presidential Bid

CAIRO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th January, 2019) Retired Army Gen. Ali Ghadiri announced his intention to participate in the upcoming presidential elections in Algeria, which will be held in April this year.

"I accept this challenge and announce the nomination of my candidacy in the presidential elections in April this year," Ghadiri said in a statement.

In the event of his victory, the 64-year-old Ghadiri intends to "carry out a comprehensive reconstruction of the state system," relying on democratic principles. He also stated his desire to put an end to corruption and clans in power.

On Friday, it was announced that the presidential election in Algeria would be held on April 18.

According to the election law, potential candidates for the highest state office have 45 days from the publication of the decree to register for the presidential race.

The incumbent head of state, 81-year-old Abdelaziz Bouteflika has been in power since 1999. Over this period, he managed to stop the armed confrontation between the authorities and the Islamists, ensure security and return foreign investment in the country. His fourth term expires on April 28.

Earlier, Algeria's ruling party, the National Liberation Front (FLN), announced its intention to nominate Bouteflika for his fifth presidential term. However, Bouteflika himself has not yet announced his decision.

His political opponents say that he cannot fully lead the country because of his health condition. In 2013, Bouteflika suffered a stroke and spent several weeks in a hospital in France. Since then, he rarely appears in public and moves in a wheelchair.