Algeria will hold presidential elections on 4 July, interim leader Abdelkader Bensalah has announced.Algeria will head to the polls in July, the presidency announced on Wednesday, as demonstrators kept up protests against the ruling elite following veteran leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s resignation. Demonstrations continued on Wednesday, with more expected.

The new date was set a day after Abdelkader Bensalah assumed office for a 90-day period, as stipulated by the constitution but much to the ire of demonstrators. The appointment of upper house speaker Bensalah as Algeria’s first new president in 20 years failed to meet the demands of demonstrators.

Mr Bensalah had pledged to hold free elections within 90 days in line with the country’s constitution, but many see the 77-year-old as too close to the former president.