New constitution in Algeria

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika today announced that he will “partially” amend the constitution to promote women political rights.

• “Regarding the new developments and current challenges decided to undertake a few amendments in the constitution”, he said in the opening ceremony of the new judiciary year.
• The amendments include the promotion of women political rights and their participation in state institutions.
• The amendment also opens the way for the president to run for a third term, as seen by opposition. Bouteflika’s supporters have been calling for his re-election, and this can only be done through amending the constitution.
•  The current constitution allows a president to be elected for 2 terms only. Bouteflika was first elected in 1999, and won a second mandate in 2004.
• The constitution can be amended by referendum. But the president has the prerogatives to issue a law to amend the constitution provided he gets parliament approval.