Ouyahia Clings To His Ministers, Denies The Government's Alleged Amendment

Prime Minister, Ahmed Ouyahia, declared his commitment to his government staff, denying any imminent amendment, contrary to what some parties have said, as this is the first decision of its kind in such cases, reflecting Ouyahia’s endorsement of a new option in responding to criticism and rumors against the executive branch to avoid negative repercussions on the harmony of his team, especially as the country faces a difficult financial circumstance, and an electoral context that allows the opposition to launch electoral bids.

Prime Ministry came out of silence for the first time to deny the propagation of the government’s alleged amendment, which confirms the retention of the Prime Minister, Ahmed Ouyahia, to keep his government staff which work plan was approved by the two chambers of parliament.

The website of the Prime Ministry issued a statement denying the existence of a “project to restructure the government”, and there is currently no “project for government amendment.”

The executive branch has recently criticized rumors of a government reshuffle that is affecting some ministerial sectors, a rumor that has been perceived as an attempt to disrupt the government’s work and influence its harmony. 

This was reflected in some of the decisions that are attributed to some ministers as instructions before being refuted later.

For example, the “interpretations” of statements that are made by the Housing Minister, Abdelouahid Tamar, regarding the programs of AADL, as it is said that the ministry wants to “bury” an AADL draft law and replace it with the IPA supported formula. At the time, Ouyahia, took the task of refuting the news during his coming to the National People’s Assembly on the occasion of his presentation of his government’s plan of action.

The rumors also reached the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Tahar Hadjar, as the pioneers of social networks spoke about the news of reducing the value of the “university grant”, and in light of these rumors, he was quick to deny that.

In the government’s statement, it is noteworthy that it carried a “quick” reaction if we compared it to the previous governments that had never denied rumors about government amendments, especially during the period in which, Abdelmalek Sellal, took charge of running the executive branch.

This is not the first time that Ouyahia government responded to some news, issuing an explanatory statement on the decision to exploit the shale gas and review the hydrocarbons law. 

“The announcement of the launch of the exploitation of shale gas has awakened the political instigators who are trying to manipulate the population, especially the people of the south”.

Government considered it useful to recall that the resumption of the tests would be accompanied by clarifications to public opinion and dialogue with residents of the concerned areas. 

Government has already published its work plan on its website for public opinion.

Government’s Reporting To Counter Rumors

Observers think that the government wants to adopt the option of communication to confront the rumors and criticisms of the political class or even the experts, in order to overcome the “obstacle” of the weak government reporting, which caused the “resentment” of many parties including the media, which face difficulties in accessing the information, which makes it looking for its own sources to obtain very simple information or make sure of it.

In this regard, the representative of the National Democratic Rally, and member of the National Bureau, Mohamed Kidji, expressed his satisfaction with the government’s response to everything that it is said and rumored, to avoid interpretations.

“The government’s quick handling of the events is positive, especially because the culture of rumor has been rampant in Algerian society”, Kidji told Echorouk.