International Media Consider Bouteflika As A President Who Stepped Down

The international press reacted with the acceleration of events in Algeria on Tuesday night, following the strong army statement, and President Bouteflika’s subsequent resignation and his notification to the Constitutional Council and the celebration scenes that marked the capital and a number of cities.

An article appeared in the famous French newspaper Le Monde, in which sorrow and regret were expressed over Bouteflika’s departure from the premise that he was the most Algerian president in love with the French language and culture (Francophile).

“Bouteflika, for more than 50 years, has maintained close relationships with France and its officials, and maybe the only head of state who remained in office and who negotiated and discussed under his various functions with all the five presidents of the republic, from General de Gaulle to Francois Hollande”, Le Monde said quoting the book of “Paris Alger, an emotional story, by Christophe Dubois and Marie-Christine Tabet.

French newspaper Le Figaro launched an opinion poll on its website, asking strange questions whether Bouteflika’s resignation was positive for the country?!

Le Figaro published articles that have raised questions that are not already asked on the Algerian scene, such as that democracy will take place with the participation of women or else it will not happen.

It also wondered in another article about the future of Algeria after Bouteflika stepped down from power and the next steps, in light of popular refusal to take over the reins of power and the departure of the symbols of the existing regime.

The American newspaper The Washington Post said that the international partners of Algerians see the need to be a short transition period, and recalled the positions of Moscow, Paris, and Washington in this regard.

It said Bouteflika resigned and announced his resignation after two decades of rule in Algeria, after weeks of public pressure to refuse his fifth term to lead the country”.

The Spanish “El Pais” published an article on its website by saying “Bouteflika: an honorable exit provides a space for renewal in the country”, and asserted that the role of the army will be one of the keys to the next stage.

In Italy, the newspaper La Stampa said the 82-year-old Bouteflika officially announced his resignation after popular pressure a month ago, but also after the army gave up on him.

La Stampa explained that the Algerians united more than ever before and they are no longer demanding Bouteflika’s departure, but rather that all symbols of the existing political system, which is what the Algerians are waiting for in the next stage.

Qatari Al-Jazeera Net website reported that Bouteflika resigned and the Constitutional Council imposed the vacancy of the post of President of the Republic, amid calls to continue the popular movement.

In a second article, al-Jazeera Net said Bouteflika was the fifth Arab president to be shaken by the cries of the popular masses, after Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen.