Algerian president promises major political reforms

World

Algerian president promises major political reforms

Close

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has promised to ensure free and fair elections

16 April,2011 08:44 pm

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has promised to ensure free and fair elections and amend the constitution - moves aimed at preventing local unrest turning into a national uprising.In an address on state-owned television, Bouteflika responded to a wave of protests across Algeria by saying he understood that people wanted to see their country move forward.The Algerian president, who had not spoken in public for at least three months, also said he had decided to amend the constitution “to reinforce representative democracy” in the country. In a 30 minute speech, Bouteflika announced he would change the electoral law in Algeria, which is due to hold the next presidential elections in 2014.Unlike the uprisings which toppled leaders in nearby Egypt and Tunisia, Algerias protests are localised and have yet to coalesce into a nationwide political movement. But the growing protests have become a daily occurrence in the capital and a threat to OPEC member Algerias stability.