Bouteflika’s message is a response to Zeroual

President candidate Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s recent message included strong responses to political personalities’ message including former president Liamine Zeroual, according to politicians and analysts.

Dr. Mohamed Laakab, information professor at the Algerian university said Bouteflika defended his achievements in response to critics. He cited the Reconciliation, anticipated payment of foreign debt, development programs, jobs creation, housing projects, health, education and higher education sectors development.

“Bouteflika’s message was a kind response to political personalities’ message addressed to Algerian people weeks before the electoral campaign. Zeroual’s message was the last one,” Laakab told Echorouk.

He added that Bouteflika called on people to elect him not because of a personal desire but to meet society’s aspiration in order to achieve his projects including the constitutional amendment.

Dr. Salim Kelala, political sciences and international relations professor believes that Bouteflika’s message included important points. He committed to make essential changes to the constitution and open the door to young people.

He said the constitutional amendment promise would have a big effect on young people as they have other social and economic demands. “The only way which would push young people to be interested in the constitutional amendment message is to conduct deep constitutional reforms for more political, economic and social freedoms.

Kelala added that Bouteflika supports people’s free choice in the next elections. He criticized opposition parties for their weakness, saying the message would create no response as the Algerian opposition parties are divided.