Algeria starts working with its seventh Constitution in its history

The Algerian Constitution No 7 came into force on Monday after it had been signed by the President of the Republic and issued in the Official Journal. It took a month to pass it at Parliament. Yet, the answer to many questions will remain suspended until its organic laws are promulgated.

The ball is now in ministries’ camp as they have to prepare organic laws estimated at around 20. “This aims at concretizing the nation’s superior law in an optimal way,” expert Boudjemaa Souileh said.

Article 63 of the new Constitution raised a large controversy. It stipulates that “all the citizens are equal in holding State positions without any other conditions than those determined by the law.”

Elections law should also be amended as the new Constitution talks about the creation of a higher independent institution to keep watch on elections. This proposition was made by opposition parties although they washed hands of the new Constitution. They believe that it is not different from the previous constitutions.

Organic laws are expected to be promulgated by the justice minister to meet the demand of making justice authority independent. Judges would be protected and judgements will be executed without any pressure. Lawyers will have all their legal rights.

Consultative institutions such as the Higher Islamic Council, Security Higher Council, Human Rights Council and Tamazight Higher Council need organic laws as well.