Benflis: “Our opponents are getting scared and I won’t let myself being ripped off”

Algerian presidential candidate Ali Benflis slammed the record of Abdelaziz Bouteflika, saying the ailing incumbent had failed to push through reforms despite 15 years in power.

At a rallies held in the cities of Ouargla and Chlef, the former prime minister described as “unsatisfactory” the state of the country’s health and education sectors, judiciary and civil freedoms.

“He who is unable to rule should not blame others… Fifteen years were not enough for their reforms and today they demand another five,” he said of Bouteflika’s bid for a fourth term.

The 77-year-old leader’s decision to seek re-election on April 17 despite serious health problems, which confined him to hospital in Paris for three months last year, has drawn heavy criticism not only in opposition ranks but also from some within the regime.

“Neither the doctors nor the patients are satisfied with the state of the health sector… The teachers lack everything, and when they protest they are harshly repressed by the police,” Benflis told a crowd of hundreds of people.

In speeches on the fourth day of election campaigning, the former judge and justice minister reserved particularly scathing criticism for the Algerian judiciary under Bouteflika’s rule.

“The judges have their hands tied and obey the executive, from appointments to promotions to dismissals… The judiciary is not independent, which is why it doesn’t prosecute corruption,” he said.

The human rights defender served as prime minister during Bouteflika’s first term in office, and is considered the biggest threat to the ailing president’s re-election chances.

He was sidelined from politics after running against the president in 2004, winning only 6.4 percent of the vote, compared with Bouteflika’s 85 percent.

At the launch of the presidential campaign Sunday Benflis called for an independent parliament capable of sacking the cabinet and described the government as a “support committee” for Bouteflika’s candidacy.

On Monday he said that the new “consensual constitution” he has promised to introduce would give greater independence to the judges and make parliament a monitoring tool to “scare the government.”

Candidate Ali Benflis also highlighted his firm commitment to multiparty politics and to the freedom of trade unions.

Ali Benflis is Bouteflika’s biggest challenger in the April 17 presidential race.