Algeria's official news agency says President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has announced the cancellation of 41 billion dinars ($5.2 billion/euro4.1 billion) in total debts owed by the nation's farmers and livestock raisers.
Presidential elections in the natural gas-rich, north African country are scheduled for April 9, and Bouteflika is running. The state-run APS agency quoted him as telling an agricultural conference in northeastern Biskra that the Treasury will buy up the debts owed by the farmers and livestock raisers. A few days later he announced higher wages for state workers.
Parliament in November modified the constitution to cancel presidential term limits — previously limited to two — and setting the stage for Bouteflika to seek a third mandate.
