Algerian coalition opposes third term for President Bouteflika

11/02/2008

Fearing that a constitutional amendment in Algeria allowing a third term for President Bouteflika would signal a return to a one-party political system, former MPs, activists, academics and journalists have launched a petition drive to block the measure.

By Said Jameh for Magharebia in Algiers – 11/02/08

[Getty Images] Algerians opposed to the campaign for a third term for President Abdelaziz Bouteflika broke their silence by releasing a petition against the proposal.

In response to an initiative in Algeria to amend the constitution and allow President Abdelaziz Bouteflika the opportunity to serve a third term in office, opponents of the plan have broken their silence and initiated a petition against the proposal which they deem undemocratic.

The group of opponents – consisting of former members of parliament, activists, academics, professionals and journalists – expressed their rejection of the idea to amend the constitution in a statement published online and in the press, and launched a campaign to collect citizens' signatures of support.

Petition signatories expressed their opposition to the amendment of Article 74 of the current constitution, which stipulates that a president may only renew his term once. They say that keeping this article in its current form is necessary to guarantee democratic practice.

Opposition to the plan stems from fear of a return to "presidency-for-life" and a one-party political system. The statement depicted a grim picture of the future under such a regime: the possibility of widespread arrests, torture, deteriorating purchasing power, illegal immigration and suicide.

The authors called on all citizens to join the cause, saying that "every Algerian who opposes unilateral rule should join their efforts in order to protect democratic freedoms."

The statement said that the timing is not suitable for a constitutional amendment, and that the government should instead address day-to-day problems facing citizens, such as declining purchasing power and stagnating economic growth. The opponents stressed that steps should be taken to better implement the content of Constitution rather than amending it.

Magharebia asked one of the signatories about the issue. Mahmoud Belhimer, assistant editor of El Khabar, said: "There is no ulterior motive behind this petition which we have signed. It is just some Algerian citizens deciding to express their opinion freely in a country where its basic laws guarantee the freedom of expression and opinion."

"We just want to warn against the danger of violating the Constitution," Belhimer said. He warned against blindly following the movement to keep Bouteflika in office. "Chances must be given so that new elites who are capable of making a difference may appear."

However, Said Bouhedja, official spokesperson of the National Liberation Front, considered the document to be no more than "a cry in a valley" that would not achieve its goal, as the amendment to allow Bouteflika's bid for a third term has become a popular demand. In a statement to Magharebia, Bouhedja dismissed the ability of those signatories to rally popular support for their initiative.