Algeria President's grip on State structures

Government reshuffle conducted by Algeria President Abdelaziz Bouteflika surprised observers while many believed that health troubles had weakened his position.

The observers described what happened as “political earthquake” which moved heaven and earth. Earlier in his first term, Bouteflika declared that he would not be a ‘three–quarter president.’

Abdelmalek Sellal kept his position as Prime Minister while the Constitutional Council’s former president Taib Belaiz was appointed as interior minister, Taib Louh as justice minister and Ahmed Gaid Saleh as defence minister to succeed Abdelmalek Guenaizia.

This “political earthquake” came as the interior minister had authorized a wing at Algeria’s FLN party known for its allegiance to the president to hold its central committee session. Former speaker of the People’s National Assembly Amar Saidani was appointed as the FLN’s new Secretary General to succeed Abdelaziz Belkhadem.

The industry minister Cherif Rahmani was freed from government obligations so that he will devote himself to enter the race for the position of Secretary General of the RND party.

This reshuffle shows that Bouteflika decided to concentrate all the decision-making aspect in him, six months before the presidential elections 2014.

The president took into account all the possibilities which may hinder him. They are three:

Firstly: to run for a fourth term

Secondly: to extend the third term to two other years. Yet, this depends on a possible constitutional amendment.

Thirdly: to support a candidate for the presidential elections.