Council of the Nation's Speaker Abdelkader Bensalah called on Monday President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to run for a fifth term in the anticipated elections after 10 months in order to proceed the journey of development that kicked off 19 years ago.
Bensalah is the second man in state, according to the constitution, and his request holds strong indicators on Bouteflika's wish to extend his term.
In his speech at the conclusion of the parliament cycle, Bensalah slammed the opposition that urged the president to drop his fifth term under the pretext that he is incapable of ruling due to sickness.
He addressed “those denying the achievements of the president, ignoring the facts and not viewing the reality with integrity: how was Algeria? How is it today? How was the security condition in it? How is it today? How was the social status of the citizen? How is it today? How was the Algerian international position and how is today?”
Bensalah saw that the nation is aware that the gains accomplished need to continue and increase, and that Algeria still needs to achieve more development and welfare for the people.
“For all these reasons and factors, members of the Council of the Nation called on Bouteflika to proceed."
Bensalah warned against maneuvers being plotted against Algeria, stressing that the duty in the meantime is to rearrange the priorities and direct the political discussion to where it serves the high interests of the nation, confronts real threats jeopardizing security and stability, protects regional border and achieves effectiveness of institutions.
He added that every country has red lines that should not be crossed, and for Algeria its red lines are: its constants, institutions and its constitutional symbols. These lines should not be breached or crossed.
