Algerian president to amend Constitution after presidential elections

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is planning to amend the Constitution if he wins the fourth presidential elections due to be held on April 17, Algerian newspaper Al-Nahar said on Saturday.

If Bouteflika wins, he will carry out the amendments in September 2014 and would hold a popular referendum on the amendments, the source confirmed.

The amendments, described by the newspaper as “important”, would include political and legal issues that address suggestions proposed earlier by political parties and figures.

A source told Al-Nahar that the legal procedures of the amendments would be complete in August and would be proposed to the ministerial council in the same month. A referendum would then be held.

The source ruled out the possibility of introducing the position of deputy president in the amended Constitution.

A group of opposition parties called on Bouteflika to put off the amendments until after the elections. However, the Secretary General of the National Liberation Party Ammar al-Sa’adi insisted they should be passed as soon as possible.