“President Bouteflika’s political foes dazed and flabbergasted”

A host of opposition political parties have expressed fears that the national political arena could be sealed off in the wake of the unexpected government reshuffle conducted on Wednesday by President Abdellaziz Bouteflika.

Several baffled opposition parties dread now that this cabinet shake-up might be a prelude to hegemonistic practices by the powers that be, and by the same token the organization of flawed presidential polls not tallying with democratic norms. “Cabinet reshuffle cosmetic and untimely”.

The government reshuffle undertaken by President Bouteflika bringing about changes in 11 ministerial portfolios, has dazed and confused the opposition which argues that the dice is now cast regarding the outcome of the 2014 presidential electoral contest.

This new development, they said, is only aimed at bolstering Bouteflika’s allies and close associates in expectation of the upcoming polls with a fourth consecutive mandate by proxy in the offing.”Our participation in the elections isn’t for a win but for a widening of the political basis”.

An opposition political party leader, Lakhdar Benkhalfa, pointed out in this connection that “the current political juncture wasn’t propitious for free and fair elections as the power establishment is already doing everything to bring its own chosen candidate to the top rostrum of the state in total contradiction with democratic values and principles”, as he put it.