Presidential Elections 2014: Why do Algerian billionaires chose Bouteflika?

Works of the Special General Assembly of the forum, that was held this weekend did not notice any kind of pressure and abuse to force members to support the President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s Fourth Term, General Manager of Amar Ben Amar company, and member of the Forum of Heads of Algerian Institutions told Echorouk.

“As a businessman I support the program of Bouteflika because I have responsibilities of investments and livelihood of families. I will be one of the financiers of Bouteflika’s campaign”.

On the other hand, Salim Outhmani resigned on Saturday from the Forum because of what he called a violation of the rules of procedure.

Businessman Amar Ben Amar said in phone conversation with Echorouk: “The special session of the Forum of Heads of Institutions, took place in normal conditions and in the presence of 136 members, including 34 agencies, but only one point was discussed on the agenda, which is related to the separation of the party that supported the Forum in the coming Presidential Elections, as the agreement happened on public voting, by raising the hands instead of a secret ballot, and the absolute majority in voting chose to support President Bouteflika and his program”.

“The voting process carried the character of a referendum on one context: Are you with the candidate Bouteflika’s program? After the voting of the majority of members to support him, the Chairman of the Forum returned to put the question in the opposite direction: Who is against supporting Bouteflika? No voice was recorded in this direction, although there were abstentions. I think that there is no expressive image of democracy that is clearer than this picture.”

“The least experience in the field of finance and business in this body counts 30 years of experience. I do not think that these years of experience make one of us capable of caving in to pressure or bargaining. I, as a businessman I support Bouteflika and his program”.

“I am a free in my choices. Does supporting Bouteflika makes of me a man? Does my support for Bouteflika makes me lose my manhood ? I am a responsible businessman, and I have 2000 workers who take care of 2,000 families, and I must protect their livelihoods.”