Will Hamrouche be a ready alternative to break the deadlock?

A political release signed by Algeria’s former head of government Mouloud Hamrouche raised questions about its motives amid debate about President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s fourth term.

Usually, Hamrouche does not appear in the political arena. His message came in very sensitive circumstances following controversial remarks of Secretary General of the National Liberation Front (FLN) Amar Saadani about the intelligence department’s chief.

The release also came two weeks before the deadline of candidacy applications submission ahead of the presidential elections due to be held in April. President Bouteflika has not expressed his position yet while more than 100 people run for office. None of them is believed to be the current regime’s representative.

The release shows that Hamrouche did not announce that he would enter the race. Yet, it is possible that he would officially announce his candidacy. If yes, questions would be raised about a possible choice made by decision makers following consultations.

Will Hamrouche accept to run for office if Bouteflika is a candidate? He is aware that the “presidential team” has encoded all the ways to the “President’s Office” since the government reshuffle of Sellal’s second cabinet. The president’s “men” took over all the ministries and constitutional institutions which directly supervise the electoral process.

Hamrouche is also aware about is happening behind the scene. Because of that, his actions can not be arbitrary.

Will he be the candidate chosen by the regime or is his release just meant to show that there are still men in Algeria who can carry on a political project for a transition phase to establish a second republic?