Belkhadem: FLN against dissolving the parliament

ALGIERS- Secretary-General of the National Liberation Front (FLN) Abdelaziz Belkhadem said Wednesday that revision of the Algerian constitution is necessary because the present constitution “was elaborated in different circumstances from those prevailing today.

ALGIERS- Secretary-General of the National Liberation Front (FLN) Abdelaziz Belkhadem said Wednesday that revision of the Algerian constitution is necessary because the present constitution “was elaborated in different circumstances from those prevailing today.

“FLN had previously called for a “deep” revision of the constitution to both “determine the system of governance, and expanding the powers of popular representation and set up the various forms of control.” Belkhadem said in the National Radio.

“FLN opposed the election of a constituent council as demanded by some political parties because it is denial to all the state’s achievements since 1962”, he added.

“National political scene needs alternatives through programs proposed by political parties. Political reforms announced by the President Bouteflika in his last massage marking the Victory Day will be implemented in accordance with the agenda and specific priorities. They were part of the president’s electoral program in 1999; however, the priority was combating terrorism and restore security in the country. Time has come to continue political reforms in order to entrench democratic practice and expand political participation through listening to citizens and public opinion”.

“President Bouteflika listens and consults different opinions because demands are multiple and different. Political reforms need listening to others to reach a decision based on the majority’s opinion. Amendment or government changes are powers of the President who will for sure exploit the appropriate opportunity to announce this change, whether partially or completely”.

“I do not think opposition parties will be included in the new government (if amended or changed) and that, given their previous positions”.

“FLN calls for reconsideration of the law concerning media freedom in order to allow all political forces to express their opinion in audiovisual media in addition to the non-criminalization of journalistic work”.