BLIDA: Algerian presidential candidate Ali Benflis yesterday slammed the record of Abdelaziz Bouteflika, saying the ailing incumbent had failed to push through reforms despite 15 years in power.
At a rally in Blida, west of the capital, the former prime minister described as “unsatisfactory” the state of the country’s health and education sectors, judiciary and civil freedoms. “He who is unable to rule should not blame others... Fifteen years were not enough for their reforms and today they demand another five,” he said of Bouteflika’s bid for a fourth term.
The 77-year-old leader’s decision to seek re-election on April 17 despite serious health problems, which confined him to hospital in Paris for three months last year, has drawn heavy criticism not only in opposition ranks but also from some within the regime.
“Neither the doctors nor the patients are satisfied with the state of the health sector... The teachers lack everything, and when they protest they are repressed by the police,” Benflis told the crowd of around 800 people.
In his speech on the second day of election campaigning, the former judge and justice minister reserved particularly scathing criticism for the Algerian judiciary. “The judges have their hands tied and obey the executive, from appointments to promotions to dismissals... The judiciary is not independent, which is why it doesn’t prosecute corruption,” he said.
The human rights defender served as prime minister during Bouteflika’s first term in office, and is considered the biggest threat to the ailing president’s re-election chances. He was sidelined from politics after running against the president in 2004, winning only 6.4 percent of the vote, compared with Bouteflika’s 85 percent.
AFP
