As every week for more than 10 months, part of Algerian society showed up for this 46th Friday of demonstrations from Algiers to Bouira, Annaba or Tizi Ouzou. Despite the provisional release on Thursday of dozens of detainees, and the announcement of the new government in the wake of this, Hirak protesters repeated the same demands as usual.

On this first Friday of the year, crowds mobilized in Algiers and in other Algerian cities. In the capital, it was not the crowds seen at demonstrations before the presidential election, but it seemed larger than the past two weeks.

Under clear skies, protesters deployed Algerian flags and repeated the slogans they have been chanting for more than 10 months. Their demand remains the same: a change of system, a rule of law, a civilian government.

In the ranks of the protesters, according to photos published on social media, were several Hirak activists who are among the 76 people released provisionally on Thursday pending their trials.

A measure that protesters view as a step in the right direction, while noting that other detainees remain incarcerated, such as Karim Tabbou, a figure in the Hirak. Portraits of these individuals were indeed brandished in the processions on Friday.

The Hirak also emphasizes that it has not forgotten the rest of its demands: a democratic state and a change to the system in place.

The new government, announced Thursday evening, comprises 39 members, a third of whom held positions in the previous administration, or during the 20 years of Abdelaziz Bouteflika's presidency.