Presidential Elections 2014: Bouteflika runs for a fourth term

President of the Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika runs for April 17 Elections, Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal announced on Saturday and ended the “Suspense” which overwhelmed the political scene in the country.

Sellal said, in a press conference on the sidelines of the African Conference on the Green Economy, that was organized in Oran (western Algeria); “Bouteflika’s conscience and his belief in continuing the reform and development programs, and the urgent need for it, made the Algerians of all categories ask for a fourth term. We remarked citizens’ wish in the context of our field visits for 46 Wilayas, which strengthened our conviction for Bouteflika to accept the nomination, and determination to continue the developmental pathways and major reforms that were initiated since assuming leadership of the country in 1999.”

“Efforts were made to achieve larger achievements in various areas and fields. Bouteflika decided on Saturday to take forms to run from the Interior Ministry and the collection of signatures starts. Positive results were achieved during the period of his rule, and this is the reason of Bouteflika’s decision which aims to maintain the achievements and give more progress to Algeria in light of the regional and international challenges that are faced by Algeria, similar to the case of the Sahel region, which is still requires more efforts, and all these things and others need someone with such jaw, knowledge and ideas, because power of knowledge and comprehensive view of the situation around us, and the international situation that Bouteflika has, made him a reference from which world leaders derive ideas”.

“This was embodied and illustrated during the frequent visits of Presidents and Kings of various governments and nations to Algeria, to benefit from the experience and ideas of the President”.

In response to a question about Bouteflika’s health situation, and whether he is allowed to assume the large responsibility, Sella said; “Bouteflika’s Intellectual capacities are good, and his health continues to improve. I am in constant contact with him”, citing the last letter by Bouteflika to the Algerians on the occasion of Martyr’s Day; “It was written by the President Bouteflika, which highlights the extent of his health improvement”.

With regard to the election’s campaign, sellal thinks; “It is not necessary that Bouteflika himself will lead the elections’ campaign, and he is always in the front , because there is a directorate that will lead this campaign. Everyone should be optimistic and stay away from the black looks. Pessimism and looking forward to the better with a positive vision, and build a room for confidence. Interest of the country is a supreme objective, and above all else by enabling Algeria to reach an important international stature, as it should continue these achievements, whether they are political, and this through a series of reforms that will affect the future of constitution, for example, or those related to the economic and social aspects, what will result from the tripartite meeting, through projects that will touch various segments of society”.