Algeria’s Constitutional Council on Monday confirmed Abdelkader Tebboune as the country’s new president despite widespread demonstrations disputing his victory.
Speaking on during a broadcast on state TV, the council’s president Kamel Fenniche noted that the vote, won by Tebboune with 58%, was conducted in good conditions.
Fenniche also announced that Tebboune is scheduled to be officially sworn in next week on Thursday.
Authorities said 40% of voters had taken part in the December 12 election, which state media cast as a high enough turn-out to vindicate the decision to hold the poll in spite of a boycott.
However, protesters saw the contest, among five officially sanctioned candidates, as an illegitimate sham intended to keep the old ruling elite in place.
Tebboune served as Housing minister and, briefly, as prime minister in former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s administration before a fallout with the ruling elite.
The authorities, including the nation’s army, argue that the only way to move the country forward after demonstrators brought an end to Bouteflika’s 20-year-rule in April was to elect a successor.
Tebboune said some of his priorities include dialogue with the protest movement and drafting a new constitution to be voted for in a referendum.
