Benflis set to create “democratic pole for change” alongside 13 parties

A number of political parties, backing Ali Benflis, have announced their intention to create soon a large democratic pole for change in the wake of the recent presidential election during which unfortunate candidate Benflis failed to carry the day in the face of incumbent President Abdellaziz Bouteflika who garnered over 81% of the votes cast.

Ali Benflis bluntly refused to acknowledge the election returns and forcibly argued that the voting was marred by widespread fraud and ballot-rigging.

As a result, Ali Benflis has decided to create what he dubbed as “a framework to fight alongside the Algerians for genuine change at all levels. Other elections will come later on”, he asserted.

“The goal, he says, is to achieve, with partners, a flagship policy to get the country out of the current crisis. Once this framework has been created, adds the former head of Government, we’ll take gateways and bold initiatives to this effect”.

Ali Benflis said he would give shortly more details about this project indicating that in the course of this month, he will discuss with other political personalities and party leaders the appropriate framework. “I did not set the definitive formula because I believe that we must hold discussions and consultations beforehand, he argued. ”

“The Algeria is down on all fronts. The country is in danger, it is necessary to arrive at a consensus to bail Algeria out of the crisis,” Benflis underlined, while stressing the need to involve the Algerian opposition and national figures as part of this projected political endeavour.

He said this drive would “pose a threat to the corrupt system” adding that the current “authorities know very well that I am the winner of this election”.

“These authorities, whether apparent or hidden, know that the incumbent president did not win. The outgoing president has even used covertly blackmail and threats and he was not ready to accept less than 80% of the votes”, Benflis hammered.

Branding the April 17 election as a “masquerade” and an electoral “farce”, Ali Benflis affirmed that at top state level, the authorities know perfectly that the incumbent President has not really won. Benflis added that he has heard of covert negotiations with the outgoing president about the option of a second round in the election but the latter has not accepted that contingency.