Algerians get a new prime minister, but all eyes remain on 2009 and the next presidential elections, writes Amin Senhaji There was nothing earthshaking in the policy announcement by Abdelaziz Belkhadem, the man who replaced Ahmed Ouyahia as Algeria's new prime minister on 24 May. The priorities of his government, Belkhadem said, are to amend the constitution ahead of the 2007 legislative elections and increase wages within the coming few months. Those two points had been the subject of bitter exchanges between Belkhadem, secretary-general of the National Liberation Front (FLN), and the outgoing Ouyahia of the Democratic National Rally (RND). The constitutional amendment envisaged will extend the presidential term from five to seven years and allow the incumbent president to run for office for a third term. It would also create a vice president post. Belkhadem said that the constitutional amendment was needed to "give shape to the system of government in Algeria" and turn it into a purely presidential system. Ouyahia's reaction to the new policy was dismissive. "Constitutional amendment is not a priority nor is it part of the political agenda of this country," he said. The controversy became heated as rumours spread about Bouteflika's health. The president underwent surgery for "stomach ulcer" in Paris in late 2005, according to official sources. He has been in France three times this year for routine checks. Analysts question whether Bouteflika will be fit to run for a third term or even complete the current one. The second point of dispute between Ouyahia and Belkhadem was about wages. Trade unions and several parties, including the FLN, have called for wage increases, noting that the monetary situation in the country has greatly improved over the last two years. Foreign debt dropped from $24 billion in 1994 to $15.5 billion in February 2006. The former prime minister opposed any pay increases, fearing that a drop in oil prices may bring inflationary pressures. Oil makes up 98 per cent of Algerian exports. Observers take Belkhadem's admission that he is just a "government coordinator" as an indication of how the new political system will function. Belkhadem was parliamentary speaker in 1992 when Chedli Bendjedid was overthrown in a coup aiming to stop the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) from taking power. Feisal Matawmi, editor-in-chief of the francophone newspaper El-Watan, said that the departure of Ahmad Ouyahia might be "a tactical" withdrawal on his part, for it would put him in a favourable position for contesting the 2009 presidential elections. In fact, Ouyahia is facing discontent within his own party, and some of his critics are trying to oust him from the leadership. However, Ouyahia has the support of a large part of the army and the central administration, especially the francophone elite. President Bouteflika, who remains an honourary president of the FLN, is in control of central and local government and has wide support across the country. The opposition has largely declined to comment on Belkhadem's appointment. The Front of Socialist Forces (FFS) called the change a "palace coup" epitomising the country's lack of democracy. "We'll wait for the 2009 presidential elections to form an opinion," a European diplomat told Al-Ahram Weekly in Algiers. His sentiment is shared by many.
