Candidates: Kerry … you are not in “electoral auction!”

Candidates for April’s elections are watching US Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to Algeria and believe that it has nothing to do with internal affairs. Workers’ Party says the visit is interference and a danger on national sovereignty.

Ramdhane Tazibt, representative of candidate Louisa Hanoune, leader of Workers’ Party expressed concerns about Kerry’s visit, saying his party wants the elections to be Algerian only.

“There is no coincidence in politics. Because of that, Kerry and Qatari Prince’s visits to the country are related to the presidential elections. We have legitimate questions. Are those visits meant to put pressure on Algeria or to blackmail it?” he told Echorouk.

Lotfi Boumghar, representative of independent candidate Ali Benflis said Kerry’s visit is “normal” as it would be better if the US and Algeria have strong relations.

“Benflis is following up this visit. The US Secretary of State will stress democracy choice and pluralism rules respect,” he added.

Abdesselam Bouchouareb, representative of electoral campaign department of independent candidate Abdelaziz Bouteflika said the visit is normal as there are successive events in the region.

Ahmed Bensebane, representative of candidate Belaid Abdelaziz believes that Kerry is on a visit to an independent country and it is normal as long as it is not related to interference in Algeria’s interests.

“We reject foreign interference. We are for any foreign visit provided that it is part of mutual interests,” he added.

Representatives of the Green Alliance warned that the visit would blackmail the Algerian state as power is weak.