Algeria's ageing leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika today called a presidential election for April 17, a day after returning from medical treatment in France, without indicating if he himself would stand.
With Bouteflika's health woes making his own participation increasingly unlikely, the leadership contest is likely to be one of the most important in years in the energy-rich North African country, which is a key player in the fight against Islamist militants plaguing the region.
"Bouteflika today proceeded with the signing of the presidential decree convening the electoral body for Thursday, April 17, 2014, for the election of the presidency of the republic," a statement from his office said.
The 76-year-old president has ruled the country continuously since 1999, but has rarely been seen in public since suffering a mini-stroke that confined him to a Paris hospital for three months last year.
He flew back from France yesterday after an unexpected three-day medical visit which national media described as a "routine check-up."
Bouteflika has never named a favoured successor and has not ruled out the possibility of accepting his nomination by the ruling National Liberation Front (FLN) in November to stand for a fourth term despite his failing health.
The uncertainty about his intentions has created a vacuum at the heart of Algerian politics.
Soufiane Djilali, who heads the New Generation opposition party and plans to run for the presidency, accused Bouteflika of deliberately creating the uncertainty -- by travelling to France this week and convening the electoral body at the last minute -- because he wants "to cling to power at any price.
