Algeria‘s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (82) has resigned under pressure of a several weeks of massive streets protests,  stepping down after 20 years in power, at the moment he was seeking for the fifth term.

The Algerian army refused to support Mr. Bouteflika ambition, and had called him to be declared incapable of carrying out his duties. Mr.Bouteflika became increasingly frail, after suffering a stroke six years ago and has rarely appeared in public since.

He made a rare appearance on state TV to relinquish power hours after military chief Lt Gen Ahmed Gaed Salah had called on him to leave office without delay. A French parliamentary report (2017) said Lt Gen Gaid Salah “sees himself as a likely successor”. However under in the dramatic context of massive protests with the demand of democratic change, his ascendance to presidency does not seem as an easy exercise.

Bouteflika resignation before the end of mandate opens floor to questions of succession, addressing the requested of people of Algeria for free and fair elections.

Abdelkader Bensalah (75)  appeared first in ranks in Algerian state since March 1 due to his position as President of the Council of the Nation (which corresponds to the Senate), and from now onward he is mandated by the Constitution to provide interim for a maximum period of 90 days during which a presidential election must be organized.