The Algerian government has released a draft constitution that would limit future presidents to two terms in office and recognise the Berbers’ Amazigh as an official language, Al-Khabar has reported.
Article 74 of the draft declares that each presidential term will be for 5 years. However, “The President of the Republic may be re-elected only once.”
The draft is among a package of reforms promised by President AbdelAziz Bouteflika during his presidential campaign for a fourth term last year.
Read: Algeria’s Islamists call for an independent election committee to supervise elections
Bouteflika’s cabinet director, Ahmed Ouyahia, presented the document to journalists on Tuesday. He pointed out that it will go before parliament for approval this month. The official noted that a majority of the political parties as well as civil society organisations and trade unions have contributed to formulating the new constitution.
Ouyahia added that the draft grants the opposition the right of expression and assembly and the right of access to state funding according to its representation in parliament. It also limits the option of using presidential decrees except in urgent cases and during parliamentary recesses. Furthermore, a national body to supervise the elections and ensure transparency will be established.
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