By Abdel Razek Abdallah

ALGIERS

Abdelkader Bensaleh was re-elected to a new three-year term on Tuesday as Speaker of the Council of the Nation, Algeria's upper house of parliament.

Bensaleh, 77, has been speaker of the council since 2002.

According to the Algerian Constitution, Bensaleh would assume the post of the president if it became vacant in case of death or resignation.

In 1996, the Council of the Nation was established in a constitutional amendment as an upper house of parliament with a total of 144 seats.

Although it has limited legislative powers, the opposition says the council was established with the aim of disrupting any law that could be approved by the People's National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, in case the opposition took majority.

Bensaleh is a member of the Democratic National Rally currently headed by Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia.

Since Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika suffered a stroke in 2013, Bensaleh has been representing him at important international summits, as well as receiving senior leaders visiting the country.

Notably, Algeria's presidential elections are set to be held on April 18.