Ministerial council examins constitutional amendment

A council of ministers is due to meet Monday to adopt a draft bill on the Constitutional amendment proposed by the president on Wednesday.

• President Bouteflika said he will partially amend the constitution to promote women’s political rights.
• According to the Algerian law, the draft bill must be brought to the Ministerial Council, then to the Constitutional Council and finally to Parliament for approval.
• Earlier on Saturday, Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia said the amendments will be disclosed in mid-November. The new constitution is expected to be submitted to parliament for vote before the end of this month as put by Ouyahia.
• The constitution can be amended by referendum. Yet, the president has the prerogatives to promulgate a law to amend the constitution provided Parliament approves it.
• The current constitution stipulates that a president can be elected for 2 terms only.
• Bouteflika was elected in 1999 and gained a second mandate in 2004.
• Opposition in Algeria believes that the amendment is meant to allow a third term for Bouteflika.