Algeria's President back home after a two-month absence

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune appeared on his country's public television on Tuesday night after a two-month stay in Germany, where he was treated by COVID-19.

On 28 October Tebboune was transferred to Germany to monitor his progress after being in contact with several members of his government who had tested positive for coronavirus a few days earlier. Tebboune was admitted from 24 October until his transfer to Germany at the Ain Naadja military hospital in the Algerian capital.

In a brief statement, Tebboune, who appeared visibly thin and aged, stated that "it is difficult to be away from your country and even more difficult for someone who has many responsibilities". This was said by the head of state, whose images were broadcast on the 8 p.m. news.

On his arrival, Tebboune was received by the interim president of the Council of the Nation, Salah Goudjil, the president of the National People's Assembly, Slimane Chenine, the president of the Constitutional Council, Kamel Fenniche, the prime minister, Abdelaziz Djerad, and the chief of staff of the National People's Army, Said Chanegriha.

"I wish the Algerian people all the best and a new year full of joy, especially for the most needy," the president added, who admitted that he still has some time before he is fully recovered.

Tebboune, 74, was elected president of Algeria a year ago in elections boycotted by the opposition and which witnessed the highest abstention rate in Algeria's modern history, over 60 percent.

During the month the president was in Germany, Algeria held a referendum on its new constitution. The referendum, which took place on 1 November and showed the total rift between Algerian society and its political class, attracted only 23 percent of the electorate, of whom only two-thirds (66 percent) voted in favour. One of the first tasks the Algerian president will have on his return will be precisely to promulgate this new Constitution, in addition to ratifying the 2021 budget law.

Tebboune's presidency has been greatly criticised by the Hirak movement, the social protests that have been shaking the country for over a year and forced Algeria's previous president, Bouteflika, to resign.

Algeria has been caught up in a maelstrom of revolts in recent months following the resignation of the then head of the armed forces, General Ahmed Gaïd Salah, who launched a supposed "clean hands" campaign that has led to the imprisonment of dozens of journalists, businessmen and politicians close to the former president's inner circle, including his brother and adviser Said and the prime ministers Ahmed Ouyahia and Abdelmalik Sellal.

Over and above the protests view of the Algerian president's work, there is concern that his convalescence and age could take their toll on his presidency, which would entail the need to seek a new successor.