Algeria gears up for election year with aging president, opposition that is yet to offer challenger

ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — Algeria is gearing up for an election year with an aging president and an opposition that is yet to present a candidate. The oil-rich north African country faces mounting political and economic challenges as public dissatisfaction rises. Yet it remains unclear whether Algeria’s presidential election, likely to be held in December, will inspire serious campaigning. No candidate has stepped forward to challenge President Abdelmajid Tebboune, but a leading opposition party this week called on his administration to open debate and dialogue over the country’s political and economic woes at the start of the election year.