Algerian President Pledges ‘Extensive Constitutional Reforms’

Arab World

December 20th, 1:46pm

Algiers - Boualem Goumrassa

Interim president Abdelkader Bensalah, left, holds the hand of the new Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune | Photo: AFP

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune made big promises as he was sworn in as the president, vowing to bring them to reality during his five-year term. Tebboune also named Kamel Beljoud as interior minister, and instructed the rest of the government ministers to continue ruling in a caretaker capacity. The new constitution will reduce the powers of the president and “guarantee the separation and balance of powers,” he said. It will also curtail the immunity of parliamentarians and executive officials for the sake of empowering the judiciary to pursue them in case they were involved in corruption or crimes. "The constitution guarantees the right to protest," Tebboune added. In his first presidential speech, he promised to tackle the corruption that the protesters decry, to curtail his own powers, and to rescue the country’s economy that is on the verge of collapse. Among the new president’s pledges are to hold workshops to reform education, universities, and the health treatment system. He also vowed to make the judiciary independent and distanced from officials’ meddling and power. The new president affirmed that this delicate phase requires rearranging priorities to avoid vague repercussions. He clarified that the country’s conditions necessitate enhancing governance via tackling the weak points of Algeria and creating a suitable atmosphere to revive economic growth. Tebboune said a comprehensive strategic plan must be laid to pass the current political situation and begin reforming the country’s economy and position among nations. He stressed the importance of collaboration to achieve the dream of Algerians in building a new and strong republic. Notably, he took 58 percent of the vote in last week's election, approximately 5.9 million votes.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2044781/algerian-president-pledges-%E2%80%98extensive-constitutional-reforms%E2%80%99