Many Algerian commentators and journalists have written that the results of the legislatives of May 17th are foregone: The Fln will triumph, followed by the Rassemblement National Democratique and by the Mouvement de la Société pour la paix. Therefore, les jeux sont faits?
Probably yes, because, in a certain sense, the situation appears to be blocked in its democratic development. These three parties form the triangle of the Algerian political system. The problem is not so much the parties but the generation which is still the same and this, clearly, does not ensure that necessary exchange for the bringing of new ideas which always accompany new generations. This is the crucial point which Algeria will have to face.
To give new life to the Algerian democratic process, a possible road to follow could be the approval of a constitutional reform which would see the figure of the President’s powers reduced in favour of a Parliament with more power. What do you think of this?
Of course, but it would be a small step in the long democratisation process. Unfortunately, Algeria is a prisoner of a Jacobean, all-engaging vision of power and the Algerian political system has been somewhat cloned on what has been French political tradition. Moving towards a parliamentary structure will be a long and difficult process.
A few weeks ago, during his electoral campaign, Nicholas Sarkozy, now President of France, declared that with reference to the ’54-’62 war, he wants to “tourner le dos à la repentance”, or rather to repentance. What will Sarkozy’s France and Algeria’s relationship be like?
It is true that one needs to break with the past but that is solution to the problem of forgiveness in history. Both France and Algeria should open a debate on this point. The friendship treaty has remained a dead letter precisely because no one wants to go deeper into the theme of forgiveness and of a presence, the French one, which did not last ten years but 132, during which some colonial crimes were committed. One cannot restart history other than through the role and function of forgiveness, an essential value for friendship between two peoples.
The Gspc, Salafist group for preaching and fighting, recently renamed as the Organisation of Al Qaeda in countries of the Maghreb. In light of the last two attacks on Algeria on April 11th when 22 people were killed, in your opinion, is Al Qaeda extending its range?
It is definitely an extension which goes from the Maghreb to the Mashrek. It is, however, a predictable operation, because written in Al Qaeda’s texts is their intention to develop “an international Islamic revolution” in Islamic countries. The recent attacks in Algeria, in Morocco and in the Maghreb correspond to their subversive strategy of extension.
Algeria is weighed down by the uncertainty of the after-Bouteflika, who has been ill for years. Do you agree that should the Preident lose power for health reasons, a strong crisis would unfold?
The presidential-style system, such as the one in Algeria, with a strong tendency of personalising politics, creates the problem of exchange. In this way, the move towards a parliamentary system would make these moments less traumatic.
Translation by Sonia Ter Hovanessian