Algeria: the draft new Constitution is already cringe

Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad in front of the deputies for a vote on the reform of the Constitution.

RYAD KRAMDI / AFP

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In Algeria, the Parliament adopted this Thursday the draft revision of the Constitution.

Of the 462 members of the National People's Assembly (APN), the 256 present all voted in favor of the text in a vote by show of hands.

This revision of the fundamental law was a promise from Abdelmadjid Tebboune, from his election last December.

But there is no consensus on the current project.

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This law revision was a way, according to the Head of State, to respond to the

, the protest movement born in February 2019 which demands the departure of the system in place.

But there is no consensus on the current project.

Some already evoke a simple "grooming" of the current Constitution, inherited from the regime of former President

.

Many prerogatives that have already existed

In his speech to the deputies, Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad declares that this revision " 

 ".

The popular movement is also cited in the preamble of the text, which is supposed to bring about a radical change in the mode of governance, the fight against corruption, and social justice.

But according to several constitutionalists, the text preserves most of the many prerogatives of the Head of State.

For example, the president retains the power to appoint many officials within institutions, the army and

particular.

He may not exercise more than two terms, consecutive or separate.

However, a specialist recalls that this limit already existed, before being removed in 2008, during the time of Abdelaziz Bouteflika and then reinstated in 2016.

A referendum next November

One of the articles also specifies that in the event of a victory of a majority other than the presidential one in a legislative ballot, the Head of State appoints a head of government from there responsible for forming a government, and 'draw up the program for this parliamentary majority.

But here again, opponents are tempering, expressing their distrust of the polls organized in Algeria, not very free and transparent, they explain.

A referendum on

is scheduled for November 1.

A symbolic date, since it is also that of the start of the war of independence.

That day will also be inaugurated the Great Mosque of Algiers.

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