algiers algerians face eventual departure long-serving president ail abdelaziz bouteflika knowledge do ensure little change go 80-year-old leader rule north african country nearly two decades incapacitate stroke 2013 may decide run next presidential election due may 2019. bow though many algerians believe person elect replace secondary observers say powerful rule caste dominate army run show behind scenes may good news age thin party elite front de liberation national fln ally business tycoons general collectively know le pouvoir power long manage algeria politics source frustration however young algerians know leader worry less charge job time high unemployment low oil price economic austerity samir abdelaoui study private english language school leave country may offer way care politics need decent job overseas want visa president say abdelaoui learn english increase chance get work visa abroad speculation rife abroad happen algeria departure bouteflika visit europe several time treatment remain hospital france months stroke inside algeria apparent oasis stability chaotic region regime ally regard problem settle bouteflika military command organize succession political class weak say anis rahmani chairman ennahar tv insider close authorities one liberal algerian analyst also expect continuity institutions algiers strong men men go institutions stay analyst say request anonymity institutions function well whether bouteflika sick algiers abroad long health allow continue beyond 2018. hop election reformist modernize president bring competitive democracy open society fade away priority accord observers algeria system stability citizens see incarnate bouteflika former french colony free brutal independence struggle end 1962 haunt memories 1990s civil war erupt state cancel elections islamist party appear set win conflict kill 200,000 people leave many algerians wary late unrest topple leaders tunisia egypt libya arab spring revolt 2011. algeria country bad neighborhood bad neighborhood army remain involve think army would want seize power bouteflika part political process say another algerian political analyst also request anonymity young algerians form two thirds population 41 million nevertheless feel leave disconnect remote political class contrast french president emmanuel macron walk streets algiers visit last week talk directly excite young people something experience leader long time one analysts describe rule class totally obsolete country youths dream young class vitality political class ready give one inch say analyst bouteflika power since 1999 rarely see speak public since stroke yet circle decide run fifth term source close le pouvoir say would without doubt elect rule fln pro-government national rally democracy dominate parliament opposition include leftists islamists weak divide bouteflika run tight circle army general intelligence officials could produce joker candidate outside political class though possible alternatives members old elite prime minister ahmed ouyahia former premier abelmalek sellal succession scenario involve say bouteflika president young brother close aide would controversial military men favor hereditary rule observers say foreign diplomats say expect general arrange smooth transition instead worry country rely oil gas export manage state-controlled economy era low energy price government spend 30 billion year subsidize everything basic foodstuffs fuel healthcare house education system help keep social peace government fail develop industries beyond energy sector fiscally strap algeria do little encourage foreign investment despite desperate need job even less ease visa restrictions build hotels attract tourists beach mountains desert wilderness short flight europe far uncontested success security even western diplomats move freely without convoy accompany many arab capitals still remnants al qaeda remain active declare allegiance islamic state twin car bomb kill 67 algiers 2007 least 38 hostages die jihadis seize gas plant 2013. security service also uncover infiltrate sleeper cells algeria close border cross libya mali niger morocco mauritania turn military zone prevent jihadis scatter across sahel region connect next president strongman guarantee security state war terrorism say rahmani external threat border fire next president military background power authority decide algeria 's rule caste set orderly succession time come