Proposals on Political Reforms Still Welcomed, Bouteflika

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said on Sunday that all proposals submitted during the consultations on political reforms held recently by a special panel, will be taken into consideration for the next revision of the Constitution.

“The recent large consultations have permitted to know the point of view of the political class, national figures and the civil society. This step is still open for any party wishing bringing its contribution,” President Bouteflika told the Minister Council held on Sunday. 

 Mr Bouteflika further specified that “such contributions and opinions will be taken into consideration ahead of the drawing up of all the text of bills, including those related to the revision of the constitution, with respect to the constant principles and interests of the nation.”

“Ultimately, the sovereign people will act to consolidate the state of justice and democracy, of which it the source and artisan of, since the independence of the nation, and along different stages of our contemporary history,” President added. 

He has further reiterated his determination to consolidate the state of justice through the legislative reforms and the upcoming Constitution revision.

Such consolidation should be founded on “clear separation between powers, comforting safeguard of rights and both collective and individual liberties, reinforcement of democratic pluralism and the establishment of a strong system that guarantees transparent and impartial elections,” he added. 

Yet, several key opposition parties and figures, including the Socialist Forces Front (FFS), Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD), Abdellah Djabellah, former head of the high council of the state, Ali Kafi, and four former prime ministers, have all boycotted the aforementioned consultations. FFS leader, Hocine Ait Ahmed qualified the consultations as “a maneuver by the regime to win more time.”