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Algeria’s Movement of Society for Peace: ‘We prefer a coalition government’

June 8, 2021 at 3:36 pm

Abderrazak Makri speaks during a press conference in the Algerian capital Algiers [RYAD KRAMDI/AFP via Getty Images]

Abderrazak Makri, head of the Movement of Society for Peace (MSP), the largest Islamist party in Algeria, said that his party will go for a coalition government even if it wins 80 per cent of seats in parliament in the upcoming elections.

This came in an interview with Anadolu Agency, during which Makri discussed the elections scheduled for 12 June, and his party’s campaign entitled “Algerian Dream.”

Algeria is due to hold early parliamentary elections on Saturday to elect 407 members of the National People’s Assembly (the first chamber of Parliament). Some 1,483 electoral lists are battling out in the election, including 646 representatives of 28 political parties, and 837 independent candidates, according to the Independent National Authority for Elections (ANIE).

A constitutional amendment that took place on 1 November, stipulated for the first time that the party or bloc that wins the majority of seats in parliament has the right to lead the government. This means that the president no longer appoints a prime minister from a different party to the one with a majority.

“Initial indicators confirm that the movement is in the first competitive position in these elections,” Makri stated. “Our movement is the only party with a strong and stable structure.”

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On his vision for the next government, if his party wins, Makri noted: “According to our political vision, we call for forming a national unity government regardless of the results,” confirming that “even if we obtain 80 per cent of the votes, we will not consider walking alone because the economic situation is very unstable and requires major consensus and a broad political and social belt to support the government.”

“We will start coordinating with the President of the Republic and hold a dialogue with all forces immediately after the elections. We can hold successful talks with everyone because we have decent relations with the authorities, the opposition, and the various political actors because they consider us a source of trust.”