Algeria’s Tebboune sworn in as president for 2nd term

ALGIERS, Algeria | Xinhua | Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was sworn in for a second term on Tuesday after securing 84 percent of the vote in the presidential elections held earlier.

In his address following the swearing-in ceremony, Tebboune expressed gratitude to the Algerian people for their trust, announcing plans to engage in extensive consultations with all parties to open a national dialogue and draw up a roadmap for Algeria’s future development in various fields.

The president reiterated his commitment to fulfilling the promises made during his campaign, including achieving self-sufficiency in durum wheat by the end of 2025 and reaching full self-sufficiency in barley and corn by 2026. He also pledged to expand irrigated land by one million hectares.

On employment, Tebboune vowed to create 450,000 jobs and establish 20,000 startups by the end of his current term. He noted that Algeria’s stability and financial resources have made it an attractive destination for investment, with nearly 9,000 new projects already in progress and a target of 20,000 by the end of his term.

As for the industrial field, Tebboune aims to increase the sector’s contribution to national income and transform Algeria into an industrial nation.

He also committed to constructing two million new housing units and reaffirmed his pledge to boost rural housing grants. Additionally, he promised a 100 percent increase in salaries to guarantee a decent standard of living for all Algerians.

The 78-year incumbent president first took office in 2019 following a political crisis and the resignation of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. ■