Candidate Bouteflika advocates continuity
2009-03-20
Abdelaziz Bouteflika chose continuity as his theme when he kicked off his election campaign this Thursday in Batna. Not everyone, however, is supportive.
By Nazim Fethi for Magharebia in Batna – 20/03/09
 [Getty Images] Bouteflika launches his campaign in the symbolic city of Batna. |
President Abdelaziz Bouteflika kicked off his electoral campaign on Victory Day (March 19th) in Batna, a city that symbolises the revolution for independence.
Giving an assessment of his two previous presidential terms, Bouteflika said that the country had been restored to its place on the international scene, that it has repaid all of its foreign debts, and that it has become a vast area of development, with projects springing up everywhere.
He reminded his audience that he had created six million jobs in ten years, and that he expects to create a further three million over his next term. Similarly, he expressed his commitment to build a million homes, in addition to more than a million constructed over the previous decade.
Bouteflika also defended his decision to start the process of national reconciliation, which, he said, remains essential if peace is to be re-established. "I committed myself to restoring peace to Algerians' hearts. I've kept my promise."
In all, the candidate's five-year programme should carry a price tag of 150 billion dollars, which will be devoted to continuing the efforts made to develop road infrastructure, social and educational establishments, and improving living conditions for all.
Bouteflika stressed that although "some people are saying that this election is a foregone conclusion", it is essential for people to go and vote on April 9th.
The spectre of high levels of abstention still hang over the election, with Bouteflika's campaign leaders banking on a high turn-out, in excess of 70%. According to Abdelmalek Sellal, his campaign director, "it is essential that the president be elected with a high turn-out".
"He is more experienced than the other candidates. He has already proved that he keeps his electoral promises," commented Djamel Loukili, a student who is very active in the Batna student organisation, which has been campaigning for Abdelaziz Bouteflika's re-election.
Meanwhile, Safia Sabri, who campaigns for a women's defence organisation, feels that the role of women will be a determining factor in Bouteflika's re-election. "It's up to us to convince our men and children to turn out en masse to vote on April 9th."
Not everyone is happy however.
"They forced me to close my business to enable the President to mingle with the crowds," said Mohamed Chergui, a storekeeper. "It's a way to make people be present for his arrival in the city."
Said Boudhan, a young unemployed man, told Magharebia that he does not feel implicated by Bouteflika's visit. "I was unemployed, and I remain so. Promises, I've heard before, but [have seen] nothing concrete."
Many local residents would have liked to see Liamine Zeroual, born in Batna, as a candidate. "I would have voted for him, and you can be sure that the entire Batna wilaya would go vote en masse, just like in 1996," said Souad Karmia, a teacher.
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nacer Posted 2009-03-20
I see that elections are just a cover and the people are unaware of what happens especially within institutions including plundering and robbing...However, those you call upon are lifeless. I say that Algeria since the independence has won one man (the late Houari Boumediene).
وافق أصيل Posted 2009-03-21
It said that the campaign for the presidential elections 2009 has begun and that Algeria will live an electoral democratic celebration in the Arab World and even in the whole world. Even America, with its ancient democracy, can be affected by the fatal flu of jealousy from the greatness and hugeness of our coming political celebration. Seven candidates with similar qualifications, intellectual, political and scientific backgrounds of which all Algerians are proud, but this can make it difficult for Algerians to choose the best as they as they have all characteristics never seen before in any candidate not just in Algeria but on the world level. Therefore, citizens can make their choice at home before going to poll stations. Anyone who wins will be a win for Algeria. It will have a shining future as bright as the brightness of the candidate who will win with his knowledge, culture and conspicuous presence. Congratulations to all of us for this exemplary democratic celebration in Algeria which is always exemplary in everything it embarks on. I am honoured to present the respectable candidates, sorry! I don’t know anyone of them except the name called by some Boutefliga, whom it is said that he has ruled Algeria for the last ten years and he has declared his total failure during the decade. However, he won rare and unprecedented experience in producing failure and reproducing it after he falsified the constitution to allow himself to repeat that failure comfortably and with merit in the coming decade. Congratulations for the enhanced victory, your greatness president!!
Fathi Posted 2009-03-21
Continuity of dictatorship and intellectual underdevelopment in the first place and demagoguery in second! What else can you expect from a member of the Arab League but a gathering of all the most vile leaders, who are preventing the Arab world from get a move on towards modernity, realism and respect for human rights and rather making it follow a cult of sinister characters who are facing the International Criminal Court.
jean -luc Posted 2009-03-21
Magharebia- The title of your article is “Candidate Bouteflika advocates continuity”. My question is as follows: why are you using wafty talk? In effect, your title ought to have been “Bouteflika advocates eternity.” Since Algeria’s independence, there has only been one party, that is to say: the FLN. Speaking about an election in Algeria is pointless. You know quite well that there is only one party and that there is no opposition (with the exception of the Islamists, who have been banned since their stolen election.)
Bahmed Posted 2009-03-21
A big thank you goes to the independent press for effectively contributing to laying bare an archaic regime that wants to drive the country further into its agony and the agony of its principal actors. Long live Algeria, young, beautiful and rebellious! Please visit and get other to visit the boycotters’ website: www.boycott-dz.com. We have but one care: peaceful change, now and today! No to this election of shame!
الزبوج Posted 2009-03-21
This article you have written is very great.
BEN Posted 2009-03-21
There is talk of an election in Algeria. Bright people are alluding to a “constitutional coup d’état” by the Bouteflika Clan. In Algeria, we know this means the “military”, but that is no longer permitted by the international community. Oh, fine! They will re-organise in a different pattern: legalised illegality or legalism. However, in spite of the costs this will have for the population, the ballot boxes will be filled to the great satisfaction of those who benefit from the system. It is enough just to drown this out with music, because the people need some joy and media is cooked. These lesson-givers, who do not dare to look their country in the face, have come to the point where they “knock” their neighbours to show their patriotism. This is how they forget their distress.
fahem Posted 2009-03-22
We must change our lives.
Ali Posted 2009-03-23
In response to Ben, Jean-Luc and the others- Bravo! You seized this opportunity to “knock” your neighbour, isn’t that so, Ben? In fact, all you have to do is consult your newspapers, “Le Matin”, every day. We call this newspaper “Pravda”, and it is the champion of critics. Moreover, whenever your government’s spokesman talks about opening the border, he treats Algeria like his little sis. We are not fooled. Go consult “La Gazette du Maroc” and “Aujourd’hui Le Maroc”. I will have you note that our state press does not even speak bout Morocco, be it good or bad; rather, it is completely indifferent. Only our independent press responds from time to time to the criticisms of the Moroccan press, which finds itself at the behest of the Makhzan. All you have to do is compare the two countries to see who has a free press. There, the press does not have the right to criticise the king and his family. And you have forgotten that in Morocco, no matter the party that is in power, the king is the one who rules. This only exists in Arab countries. In terms of the Maghreb, you are still quite far from being able to try to give lessons about democracy. As for you, Jean-Luc, who wants to hide his true “face”, I simply tell you that you are jealous of Algeria. If you are speaking about “stolen elections”, then you must want its DESTRUCTION! I will have you know that Hitler came to power via an election. I still do not know if you got it. I think you must have been a bad student at school. I advise you to go back and redo your studies.
jean luc Posted 2009-03-25
No, Mr Ali... Baba and the Forty Thieves! I am French and I have nothing against Algeria or the Algerians. But, know that France is facing a serious financial crisis and therefore, even if I can understand the poverty of Bouteflika’s country, no longer has the means to feed your Algerian compatriots. And, I see that you are speaking of Hitler. All of this is just pride. You are trying to drown out the real issues. Or is it that the Algerians are drowning at sea trying to get to my country, France?
بطبوط Posted 2009-03-25
They killed us with false promises. Bouteflika owned up his failure. Despite this he runs for a third mandate open endlessly if God extends the life of our president to a third and fourth as he described himself. So congratulations to us for the future full of failures since 1962 as long as God wants to extend the suffering of these powerless people.
Ali Posted 2009-03-26
In Response to Jean-Luc- It is unfortunate that you say you are French but your writing is worthless. It is full of errors. To start with, you write “voleur” without an “e” and “je n’ai rien” without an “s”. However, it must not be forgotten that there are Algerians who also have your citizenship and they are more useful than you are IN YOUR COUNTRY! I live in France and I have French employees. That said, I prefer to avoid talking to French “extremists”, and I have no doubt you are one because I do not see a true Frenchman – with the exception of intellectuals and politicians, a category to which you do not belong – being interested in a purely Maghreb website. I prefer to let you live alone, isolated in your inadequacy, which I hope will be eternally yours. I have other things to busy myself with. But, before I leave this honorable website, I would like specify that my father left to France in 1947 in order to work in the mines, and this was not his choice. This is just to have you know that this is part of a 132-year long history. Do not forget to go back to school. That is my advice.
BEN Posted 2009-03-26
Mr Ali- I do not want to insult you with a response like that of Jean Luc. These sorts of arguments, which I strongly condemn, are beyond me. We need to try to have courteous exchanges, because every country has its own system of measurement. In short, I am not sure you know the Moroccan press, but if you do, it is only on the surface. As for our Institutions, they are very solid given that they are 14-centuries old. Here is a suggestion: given that Algeria was a kingdom – Does not Amir Abdelkader still claim legitimate power in Algeria? – you should resolve the problem of dummy kings, who cost the people a lot with their elections that are on the verge of circus shows.
eric Posted 2009-08-04
I am French and I love Algeria and the Algerian men and women so much. It was thanks to them that France was able to establish itself in Europe and the world. The Algerians lifted France up quite high militarily, economically (France is a permanent member of the UN), and Algerian territory served to develop France's nuclear power. If Jean Luc does not know all of this, then he is far from representing the majority of French people. The Zionist French, the FN and a good portion of the UMP represent French racists. Most French people supported Algeria independence in the face of colonialism. As a French person, I condemn the Arab leaders of the Maghreb for their oppression of free press and of the various Berber peoples. (Tunisia has completely rubbed out its Berber elements, pure and simple.) I also support the Sahrawi people's fight for independence.
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