Algerians vote on constitutional revision

With this revision of the Constitution, the Algerian authorities consider that they are responding to the aspirations of the Hirak.

REUTERS / Ramzi Boudina

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

In Algeria, 25 million voters are called to the polls this Sunday, November 1.

They must decide on a revision of the Constitution.

The Algerian authorities present this text as the basis of a “new Algeria” and as a response to the demands of the Hirak.

One of the issues of the ballot will therefore be the turnout.

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 This is the question Algerians must answer for this Sunday's referendum.

The revised text amends a Constitution, amended three times by the former head of state Abdelaziz Bouteflika, and deemed tailor-made for him.

With this revision of the Constitution, the Algerian authorities consider that they are responding to the aspirations of the Hirak.

The protest movement which, for its part, calls for a total change of the system is also cited in the preamble.

This new fundamental law emphasizes a series of rights and freedoms.

More than 40 articles are devoted to it, but the text maintains a presidentialist regime, without reducing the powers of the Head of State.

Before the ballot was held, the opposition rejected the project.

For the Hirak, whose weekly marches have been suspended since last March due to the coronavirus, this referendum constitutes a test.

The participation rate will therefore be particularly scrutinized.

The date of the referendum is not trivial.

November 1 marks the anniversary of the start of the war for independence against the French colonial power in 1954.

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• Algeria