FFS rejects Article 88 reactivation against Bouteflika

Algeria’s Socialist Forces Front (FFS) party opened a debate about the presidential elections 2014 which will come up with a final position whether to boycott them or not.

“The 2014 elections issue will be officially discussed during the party’s national council due to be held in the next few days to approve its program,” the FFS’s Secretary General Ahmed Batatache told Echorouk.

“If things do not change, the FFS does not guarantee its participation in the elections,” he added.

“There is no political will to have a constitution reflecting people’s will.”

Batatache believes that the corruption cases which led to extensive press coverage in the last few days are no more than a “pressure tool” in the next presidential elections.

He rejects the call for reactivating Article No 88, accusing what they call “corrupted system” of launching rumors about Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s health state.

“Those rumors caused tension and anxiety among people as there are no official reports about the president’s health condition,” he said.

“The FFS refuses to exploit President Bouteflika’s health. We will not accept that,” he added.

“Yet, the party will continue its democratic and peaceful fight in the country through its usual strategy in constructive opposition and giving chances to everyone. We are always in opposition and we will remain in that way.”