How ministers are appointed in Algeria

Algeria’s experiences in cabinet reshuffle show that criteria in choosing ministers depend on “competence” and coincidence.

Some ministers told Echorouk they are contacted a few minutes before the reshuffle official announcement by the Prime Minister or the president.

Former information minister Boudjemaa Haichour said the president only who has the prerogative to appoint ministers and announce their names.

“Even if someone is contacted, that remains a secret and the person is asked to keep silent,” he told Echorouk on the phone.

“The president consulted the person or assigns the prime minister or his personal staff’s chief to do that. If the person accepts the position, it is noted. Yet, that remains unofficial. Sometimes, persons are consulted but their names are dropped from the final list,” he added.

Former communication minister Abdelaziz Rehabi said he was an ambassador to Spain in 1997 when he was called in to hold the position of minister.

“Foreign minister at that time Ahmed Attaf called me and asked me to go to the President’s Office. I met President Liamine Zeroual and proposed me the position of communication minister,” he added.

Rehabi also said Zeroual told him he appointed him because the opposition parties wanted that the communication and justice ministers should not belong to any party.