Algeria protests against police to maintain pressure on regime

Algerian police tried, unsuccessfully, to disperse the protesters gathered for Friday's first protest since the announcement of the presidential election to succeed its deposed leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

There was no violence as the riot police, wearing helmets and shields, tried to clean the main protest site outside the main post office of the center. d & # 39; Algiers.

Dozens of police officers, during their first operation of this type on the site, were surrounded by hundreds of protesters, called to protest against the alleged maneuvers of the regime to stay in power.

The crowd, shouting "silmiya, silmiya" (peaceful, peaceful), cleared a path on which the police had to withdraw while the protesters had urged the police to join the demonstration.

"We think that there are tensions this Friday, there are a lot of police," said 36-year-old Karima Bourenane, who introduced herself with her daughter. "I hope the demonstration will remain peaceful."

Social media, the source of mbad protests that led to the end of Bouteflika's two decades of rule, have been filled with calls for an eighth consecutive Friday of protests, this time under the slogan "They will leave all".

The presidential elections will be held on July 4, the office of Acting Head of Government Abdelkader Bensalah announced on Wednesday, just hours after the promise of "transparent" elections.

The new date was set one day after Bensalah took office, for a period of 90 days, as stipulated by the constitution but to the great wrath of the protesters.

The appointment of the upper house president, Bensalah, as the first new Algerian president in 20 years has not allowed to meet the demands of protesters.

Although 77-year-old Bensalah is barred by the Constitution from running in the upcoming elections, the protesters demanded that Bouteflika's close ally withdraws.

Students and magistrates have called for the resumption of rallies and marches in the capital and in other cities of the country of North Africa.

"I will not vote, what for?" Walid asked.

& # 39; They do not know what's coming

For the first time since the launch of the anti-Bouteflika protest movement in mid-February, vehicles and police forces tried to block access to the post office.

But the young protesters were not discouraged.

"We will be many, many, they do not know what to expect, they will not be able to do anything against us," said 23-year-old Ybadine.

For Mahrez Bouich, professor of philosophy at the University of Bejaia, east of Algiers, "the election of 4 July has already been rejected by the people, which also refuses the appointment of Bensalah ".

The protesters argue that elections can not be free and fair if they take place in the same judicial framework and with the same institutions as those of the Bouteflika regime.

Bensalah received implicit support from the army whose leader, General Ahmed Gaid Salah, withdrew his support for Bouteflika, causing his resignation on April 2.

But the general stood up for the defense of Algerian institutions and warned against the "unrealistic slogans" of protesters aimed at sweeping the entire system to power.

All eyes are now turned to the participation rate on the streets Friday, traditional day of events in Algeria, and whether the authorities will adopt a more severe line and strengthen security measures.

For the first time in the wave of protests that swept through Algiers, police launched tear gas and water cannons Tuesday to try to disperse a student protest.

However, Mohamed Hennad, professor of political science at the University of Algiers, said "that the balance of power would favor the street if it was a major mobilization on Friday. ", as in recent weeks.