The Intelligence from The Economist Fifth time unlucky: Algeria’s protests
Mar 8, 2019
Widespread protests erupt in Algeria as citizens demand change from a largely absent president. The discussion highlights the frustration with political misrule and the potential for reform during leadership incapacities. Shifting to Britain, the podcast tackles the alarming rise of knife crime among youth, linking it to drug-dealing networks and policing methods. There's an uncomfortable debate on the effectiveness of current strategies in addressing this growing violence. Overall, it explores the complex interplay between leadership health and societal issues.
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Algeria's Silent President
- Algerians are protesting President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's fifth term.
- Bouteflika hasn't spoken publicly since a 2013 stroke, raising concerns about who's actually in charge.
Algeria's Power Vacuum
- Many Algerians feel their country is poorly managed due to Bouteflika's condition and an elite group profiting from oil wealth.
- Opposition candidates are not well-known, making real change difficult.
Why Now?
- Algeria's history of violence and the government's past use of oil wealth to quell dissent contributed to delayed unrest.
- Declining oil prices have weakened the government's ability to maintain control.