Political parties criticize blackout around Bouteflika’s health condition

The government bears the responsibility of telling Algerians the truth about President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s illness, according to political parties.

Mystery is still surrounding Bouteflika’s health state as he has been ill for four weeks. Rumors are circulated denying Prime Minister’s remarks that the president is doing well.

The MSP party’s leader Abderezzak Mokri said rumors largely spread and the government should deal with issue in “total transparency.”

He added that political parties may plan to take a unique position to call on the government to inform people about all the details concerning their president’s health conditions.

According to Article No 88 of the Constitution, the president’s resignation is announced if he is not able to perform his missions due to dangerous and chronic disease.

The National Front’s leader Moussa Touati criticized the government for the blackout related to Bouteflika’s health state.

“This blackout is understood as marginalization of people,” he said.

He held the government responsible for any false information reported by media due to this blackout. “Media now depend on incorrect decisions of official authorities. If they make mistakes, the government will be responsible for that.”

Spokesman for Nahda movement Mhamed Hdibi said people have the right to be informed about the president’s health conditions and the government must be in charge of that.

He called on political parties to take a unique position after consultations.

El-Fajer El-Djedid’s leader Taher Benbeibeche said transparency is needed in the case of Bouteflika’s health state. “This not a shame. The president is human being and can fall ill as any other person,” he said.

“I wonder why Algerian people still do not know where their president is while he has been ill for almost a month. As if he is kidnapped!” he added.