Following President Bouteflika’s resignation on the 2nd of April 2019, the Constitutional Council ascertained the definitive vacancy of the Presidency of the Republic on Wednesday 3rd April 2019, and immediately reported it to the Parliament in accordance with the Constitution.
Both Houses of the Parliament (the Council of the Nation and the People’s National Assembly) met on Tuesday 9th April 2019 at the Palace of the Nations (Algiers) to take cognizance of the Constitutional Council’s declaration.
During the meeting, M. Abdelkader Bensalah, Upper House Speaker, was designated interim Head of State, in conformity with the Article 102 of the Constitution, for a maximum period of ninety (90) days, during which presidential elections shall be organized. The Head of State, so designated, may not be a candidate for the Presidency of the Republic.
In his statement, The Head of State greeted “all the social classes who have participated in a peaceful, dignified and responsible manner in the successive marches that have animated the political scene since 22 February”, and also paid tribute to the forces of the People’s National Army (ANP).
Head of the State committed to set up, in consultation with the political and civil class, “a national collegial and sovereign institution, which will be responsible for preparing and organizing national fair and transparent elections.”