Moab Bouchareb, the acting head of Algeria’s governing party, the National Liberation Front, said the party is throwing its support behind protests against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. The FLN is Bouteflika’s party.
The move is being viewed as an effort to save the reputation of the FLN amid increasing disillusionment with Algeria’s power structure. Bouchareb himself has been criticized as representing a leadership considered corrupt and out of touch with Algeria’s struggling youth.
Bouchareb told a meeting of party leaders that the party supports the popular movement but he also appeared to support Bouteflika’s “roadmap” for political reforms.
On Wednesday, foreign affairs minister Ramtane Lamamra said the Algerian government is “ready for dialogue” with demonstrators.
Algerian Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui has been struggling to form a new government as candidates sought to keep their distance from Bouteflika. Bedoui, who was appointed last week, had promised to create a new cabinet within days to respond to the demands of Algeria’s demonstrating youth.
Protesters want the ailing Bouteflika to step down after 20 years in power. Bouteflika responded by abandoning plans for a fifth term and promising reforms, but also delayed presidential elections indefinitely.
