Algerian PM reassures opposition new constitution to deepen democracy

Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal reassured on Thursday the opposition that the forthcoming constitution amendment would open a new era for freedom and deepen democracy in the country.

"Algeria is on the brink of a new era with strong republican reforms," he said while presenting the draft before the Joint Committee of two houses of the Parliament.

"This draft amended constitution crowns the political reforms initiated by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika," he added.

Sellal further specified that the draft constitution "is meant to extend the rights and freedoms of citizens, enshrine pluralist democracy, strengthen the Rule of Law's foundations and consolidate justice independence."

Earlier January, Chief of Staff of President Office, Ahmed Ouyahia, revealed the draft revision of the Constitution to the media. It is due to be set for approval by the two houses of parliament in a joint session on Sunday.

The draft amendments would establish Tamazight as an official language for national unity, limit the presidency to two terms, and the ban on Bi-nationals to hold high state office.

Earlier, the country's constitutional council approved the draft, saying the revision would neither undermine the general principles that run the society and protect human rights, nor affect the fundamental balance of powers.

However, the main opposition parties, either secular or Islamist snubbed the meetings, said they do not accept to debate a "readymade" constitution. They believe that revising the constitution should be done through a referendum.

Following the eruption of the so-called "Arab Spring" in 2011, President Bouteflika launched a series of political reforms, and the draft constitution amendment is one of them. It touches on fixing laws on election, political parties, associations and media. Endit