Economist Podcasts Resigned to it: Algeria’s president
Apr 4, 2019
Roger McShane, the Middle East editor for The Economist, unpacks the political fallout following President Bouteflika's resignation in Algeria, highlighting the power struggle and disorganized opposition. Madeleine Johan, the Canada correspondent, discusses the intensifying gun control debate sparked by protests and a tragic incident in parliament. They also examine how parenthood exacerbates the gender pay gap globally, revealing critical data on salary disparities linked to motherhood. This lively discussion offers deep insights into pressing international issues.
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Bouteflika's Resignation
- Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned after 20 years as Algeria's president following mass protests.
- The protests were sparked by corruption, mismanagement, a large deficit, and high unemployment.
Bouteflika's Legacy
- Bouteflika, part of the old guard, led Algeria out of a bloody civil war but kept the country closed off.
- He hasn't reformed the economy and rules with a cabal of oligarchs and generals known as "le pouvoir."
Reasons for Protests
- Algerians grew tired of Bouteflika's ineffective leadership, exacerbated by his stroke in 2013.
- The country's economic struggles and the perception of a farcical presidency fueled the protests.