Parties and analysts: The technical amendment to the constitution…strengthens the stability of the state and fortifies its institutions – Algerian newspaper Al-Hiwar

Abdel Raouf Harchaoui

A number of political formations considered that the technical amendments included in the constitution are logical and do not affect the essence, stressing that the step falls within the context of ensuring the smooth functioning of state institutions and their continuity.

The parties stressed that these amendments fall within President Tebboune’s commitments to the path of deep reforms that would fortify the state and enhance the stability of its institutions, while the dialogue meeting – according to them – reflects the President of the Republic’s commitment to expanding consultation and involving political actors in formulating the laws regulating political life.

Logical adjustments

In this context, the head of the National Democratic Rally Party, Munther Boudin, confirmed that the technical amendments to the constitution were logical, through some formal additions, especially those related to the beginning and end of the parliamentary session and to the constitutional oath in the body before which it is formed and carried out.

In statements following his participation in the symposium, which was devoted to presenting and discussing the draft technical amendment to the constitution and the organic law related to the electoral system, Boden considered that: “The technical amendments proposed in the constitution were at the core, and we respect the courage of our institutions that faced the shortcomings and observations through which the 2020 constitution was implemented, and work to correct these shortcomings and fill the gaps.”

Amendments that do not affect the essence of the Constitution

For his part, the Secretary-General of the National Liberation Front Party, Abdel Karim Ben Mubarak, said that the technical amendments included in the constitution do not affect its essence and the blind articles that make up it.

During his participation in the symposium, which was chaired by the Director of the Office of the Presidency of the Republic, Ben Mubarak said in media statements: “The National Liberation Front Party, through its participation in this important symposium, presented proposals that primarily serve the public interest and for the coming stages.”

The same speaker considered that: “The step of including technical amendments to the constitution clearly confirms that the deep reforms that were launched after changing the constitution in 2020 are a fixed option.”

A realistic vision for preserving the constitution

The National Construction Movement confirmed that the proposals for the “Technical Amendments to the Constitution” project fall within a realistic vision for preserving the constitution, and addressing some procedural issues that ensure the smooth operation and continuity of the work of state institutions, without prejudice to the major issues and basic principles that the provisions of Article 221 of the Constitution stipulate that they must be observed.

In a statement, the movement appreciated the dialogue meeting, which witnessed the active participation of a number of political party leaders, noting that it: “reflects the seriousness of the President of the Republic in involving political actors and independent oversight bodies in formulating the basic laws regulating political life, to establish transparency, strengthen democracy, and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.”

In its statement, the Construction Movement renewed its adherence to this constitution, “which is dedicated to rights and freedoms and enhances democratic practice,” considering in the same context that: “The symposium, which was part of the specific dialogue program to which the President of the Republic renewed his commitment in his speech before Parliament held in its two chambers, is the largest practical response to the media mouthpieces that are trying these days to distort the image of Algeria, by questioning its will to adhere to the democratic option.”

The movement concluded by emphasizing that, through its contribution to this meeting, it renewed its permanent commitment to engage in all endeavors aimed at enhancing the stability of state institutions and consecrating democracy, calling on everyone to rally around this comprehensive national project to confront all current and expected challenges.

Fortifying state institutions and enhancing their stability

For his part, the head of the Future Front Party, Fatih Boutebek, considered that the technical amendment to the constitution falls within the path of profound reforms led by the President of the Republic, noting that the step would enhance the stability of the state and fortify its institutions in the face of internal and external challenges.

During his hosting of a segment on public television, Boutabek affirmed that: “The symposium falls within the series of commitments approved by the President of the Republic, dedicating the approach of participation and dialogue with political actors,” considering: “Including transitional provisions that would ensure the continuity of state institutions and avoid any constitutional vacuum that might affect the regular functioning of institutions.”

The head of the Future Front Party praised the review of the election law: “As an essential step to upgrade democratic practice and enhance transparency and credibility in the electoral process, while he stressed that this stage requires broad political mobilization that restores confidence to the citizen and establishes effective popular participation in decision-making.”

The party leader stressed that: “Legal reforms must be translated on the field through strong institutions and modern administrative performance that addresses citizens’ concerns, highlighting that the success of these reforms is linked to the awareness of the political class and its commitment to a responsible discourse that prioritizes the best interest of the nation over narrow calculations.”

Political adjustments par excellence

For her part, Secretary General of the Labor Party, Louisa Hanoune, considered that the technical amendments included in the constitution have a distinctly political nature, stressing the need to fortify the country in the current global context. For her part, Louisa Hanoune confirmed in statements following her participation in the symposium that: “The discussion was frank, serious and responsible, and the parties raised the concerns they faced in the electoral elections. Among the issues that were corrected were the tasks of the independent national authority to monitor the elections, while the party leaders presented proposals that were in line with one approach.” The Labor Party appreciated organizing such seminars and meetings, which, according to it, allow political parties to express their opinions, expressing its hope that they will be an introduction to opening a broad discussion on national issues and producing appropriate solutions.

The technical amendment to the Constitution came to correct the imbalances

For his part, Professor of Constitutional Law, Dr. Rachid Lourari, confirmed that the technical amendment to the constitution is intended to address some of the imbalances and shortcomings resulting from constitutional practice in order to avoid any interpretations that might lead to deviation from the constitution.

Dr. Lorari highlighted in a media statement that the purpose of these technical amendments is to ensure the functioning of the constitutional and legal institutions of the Algerian state, continue reforms, and fight all manifestations of corruption within the framework of restoring the state’s prestige and ensuring the independence of the judiciary.

Lorari explained that the technical amendment in constitutional practice is considered a new term in Algeria, and what is meant by it is that amendment that aims to address some of the imbalances that constitutional practice has produced in practical reality.

These amendments – the same speaker adds – also do not affect at all the objective and fundamental aspect of the constitutional document. Rather, their purpose is to ensure the functioning of the constitutional and legal institutions of the Algerian state within a regular framework. These reforms fall within the framework of continuing various political and constitutional reforms to establish governance, embody the state of rights, institutions and law, and ensure the independence of the judiciary, as they embody the legal and institutional guarantee for the realization and embodiment of various rights and freedoms. Stressing that the constitution is the basic document that embodies the supreme law in the state, and therefore we cannot deny that some of the gaps or shortcomings that practical experience has produced are unconstitutional. Rather, we must address the issue by addressing the imbalances that arise from one period to another, from the standpoint that no matter how capable, strong, and composed the constitutional institution is, in many cases it cannot imagine all the issues and problems that may arise in the future with regard to the constitutional process. That is why this technical amendment came – adds the same speaker – which does not at all affect the essence of the principles and provisions as much as it aims to address some of the imbalances that emerged during practical practice.

Dr. Lorari stressed the involvement of political parties in this discussion, which falls within the framework of embodying the principles and foundations pledged by the President of the Republic not to be alone in his opinion, but to participate with everyone, considering that these political parties bear a great responsibility in carrying out the role assigned to them constitutionally and legally as a framework for mobilizing and forming members of society.