Algeria’s Interior Ministry issues licenses for 10 new political parties – TV

Algeria’s Interior Ministry has issued licenses for 10 new political parties, Ennahar TV reported on Wednesday. The previous day, parliament named upper house chairman Abdelkader Bensalah as caretaker president. Bensalah vowed to organize free elections in the face of growing calls for democracy. Protesters in Algeria have been demanding sweeping changes since unrest erupted on February 22, and prompted the country’s 82-year-old leader, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, to resign. Allowing new political parties suggests some flexibility from the Algerian authorities. Bensalah said he would organize elections that are expected to be held within 90 days, Reuters reported.