Political parties: The draft traffic law is still under enrichment and amendment – Algerian Al-Hiwar newspaper

A number of political formations unanimously agreed on the need to give priority to the language of dialogue and the public interest in light of the damage caused by the carriers’ strike, calling at the same time to find a balanced solution that guarantees the interest of everyone.

In their comments on the transporters’ strike against the backdrop of what the draft traffic law included, as well as increases in fuel prices, these parties confirmed that the draft is still open for discussion and that what it includes can be modified and enriched, while the same parties considered that the “slight” increases in fuel prices came at the request of station owners and do not actually reflect the real price of fuel.

Give priority to the language of dialogue

The National Liberation Front Party called for greater awareness, vigilance and responsibility, and to give priority to the language of dialogue, and not to be led by malicious rumors regarding the draft traffic law, while being patient in taking any uncalculated steps that would harm the public interest.

The party said in a statement: “Contrary to what is being circulated, the text of the new draft traffic law is still in the discussion stage and has not yet entered into force. It is currently being studied at the level of the National Assembly, with the aim of enrichment and amendment, before its official issuance. Accordingly, the draft opens a wide scope for dialogue and consultation, in accordance with the powers vested in the National Assembly, including the possibility of forming a committee with equal members to propose an amended text.

The party indicated in its statement that: “The project aims primarily to deter road users of various types who commit violations and dangerous maneuvers that affect the safety of people and cause serious traffic accidents that may lead to the loss of lives or cause permanent disabilities, in light of the alarming rise in traffic accident indicators.”

As for what was raised about fuel prices in an exaggerated manner, the limited increase – the party confirms – that was recorded came in response to the demands of gas station owners, with the aim of ensuring a profit margin that allows them to continue their activity and ensure continuity of service across various regions, while emphasizing that this slight increase does not reflect the real price of fuel, which is still one of the lowest in the world thanks to the state’s continued coverage of the large difference in its cost.

The project is still under discussion

In turn, the People’s Voice Party indicated that the draft new traffic law is still under discussion in Parliament and has not yet completed its legislative path, which opens the constitutional and legal scope for its enrichment and amendment through dialogue mechanisms. and institutional consultation.

In this context, the party noted in a statement the constitutional role of the National Assembly, especially within the framework of Article 145 of the Constitution, and based on Organic Law No. 23-06, which allows for the activation of the equal-member committee mechanism, and proposing a more consensual formula that takes into account the opinions of experts in the field.

In another context, the People’s Voice Party stressed that the debate surrounding the recorded increases in fuel prices should be framed and discussed away from exaggeration, as these increases still do not reflect the real price of fuel, which is a well-known matter, as the state continues to bear the bulk of its cost, as these increases, according to specialists, came in response to considerations related to covering transportation and maintenance costs and ensuring the continuity and quality of service at the level of gas stations.

At the conclusion of the statement, the Voice of the People Party called for the logic of calm and responsibility to prevail and the suspension of forms of protest that affect the citizen’s right to movement, in exchange for a clear commitment from the concerned parties to continue the dialogue and address the concerns raised within reasonable deadlines, reiterating its conviction that the permanent solution lies in a balanced, participatory approach that preserves “the prestige of the state, the dignity of professionals and the purchasing power of the citizen,” within the framework of social stability and sustainable development.

Protect lives, not punish citizens

In the same context, the Future Front confirmed that the draft traffic law is still on its normal legislative path, and is in the process of presenting it before the National Assembly, and that its primary purpose is neither to punish the citizen nor to impose restrictions on him, and that the fundamental goal of this project is to protect lives and confront the threat to road safety that has turned our streets and roads into arenas of daily bleeding.

The party explained in a statement that this draft law is still open for discussion and dialogue through constitutional and legal mechanisms, including activating the relevant committees and seeking the assistance of experts, in order to reach a balanced text that achieves deterrence and preserves rights.

He added in the same context that: “The Constitution has provided mechanisms for correction and consensus, through the powers granted to the National Assembly, especially through Article 145 of it, and based on Organic Law No. 23-06, allowing the formation of a committee with equal members between the two chambers of Parliament, with the possibility of seeking the assistance of experts and specialists, in order to reach a balanced, fair, and field-applicable text.”

The Future Front regretted what it described as the intimidation campaigns that accompanied talk about slight increases in gasoline prices, which range between 1.40 DZD and 3 DZD only. These increases do not in any way reflect the real price of fuel, as Algeria is still among the countries that sell fuel at the lowest price in the world, thanks to the large subsidies that the state bears today, as it covers a significant difference between the real price and the selling price to the citizen.

Strike is a constitutionally guaranteed right, however

In another context, the National Construction Movement considered that resorting to protest and strike is a constitutionally guaranteed right, but within the framework of what the law allows and in accordance with the procedures set by the applicable organization. In a statement, the Construction Movement called on all protesters and their representatives to be wise and rational, to give an opportunity for dialogue, and to refrain from any behavior that may lead to harming the public facility and the public interest, because disrupting the transport of goods and goods or causing any confusion in market supply chains, especially with widely consumed materials, will directly affect the daily livelihood of citizens. The movement stressed the necessity of dealing positively, and with a high sense of responsibility, with the demands raised by drivers following these protests, and giving priority to dialogue. Construction, as the most effective way to address such concerns, especially since the law still has other stages of correction, correction, and reservations.

The voice of wisdom must prevail first

The statement of the Democratic Youth Front for Citizenship explained that it is following with deep concern the wave of protest witnessed by the goods transport sector and truck drivers, noting that the draft traffic law is still under discussion in Parliament to be scrutinized and enriched according to what is in practice. The party reminded that, although the protest is constitutionally guaranteed and that it understands the demands of the protesters that must be reconsidered and settled, it returned to saying the need to exercise reason and rely on logic, in order to preserve the stability of the country and the social front that was damaged by This strike is due to its repercussions on the supply of markets and the movement of goods and passengers, whose interests have been disrupted.

Abdel Raouf Harchaoui