Bouteflika’s stroke fuels Algeria leadership debate

Algiers. The health problems of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who suffered a mini-stroke at the weekend, have intensified speculation about who might succeed him one year ahead of presidential elections.His hospitalisation in France, coming amid press reports of corruption scandals implicating members of his family, have undermined speculation about the 76-year-old president running for a fourth term.President Bouteflika on Saturday suffered a “transient ischaemia” — a mini stroke which according to the American Heart Association “is more accurately characterised as a ‘warning stroke’, a warning you should take very seriously.”He was flown to Paris for treatment at the Val de Grace military hospital, which often receives high-profile patients.Officials in Algeria were quick to allay fears over his condition, with his Algerian doctor telling wire agency AFP on Monday that he was making good progress.“Everything is going very well for the president. I haven’t spoken with him directly today but I have spoken with his entourage,” Prof Rachid Bougherbal said, while declining to give details about how long he would remain in the hospital.Earlier, the cardiology professor had told the Algerian daily Ennahar that Mr Bouteflika “will come back to Algeria in several days... in not more than seven days,” after speaking to Mr Bouteflika on Sunday.But the media and analysts are openly questioning the implications of President Bouteflika’s latest health scare, less than a year before a presidential election, and with Algerian political machinations typically shrouded in secrecy.“The announcement of his illness — something unusual for the Algerian regime — is destined to prepare public opinion for the succession of Mr Bouteflika,” political analyst Rachid Tlemcani told AFP.