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· Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune carried out a minor reshuffle of his government on February 21. Reports indicate that there was no major overhauling in the ministry
· The Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad, which many speculated was in the chopping bloc since Tebounne had previously expressed his dissatisfaction about his functioning, is unaffected by the reshuffle
· The president also dissolved the National People’s Assembly (NPA), the lower house of parliament and paved the way for early parliamentary elections (within six months).
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune carried out a minor reshuffle of his government on February 21. Reports indicate that there was no major overhauling in the ministry. The Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad, which many speculated was in the chopping block since Tebounne had previously expressed his dissatisfaction about his functioning, is unaffected by the reshuffle. Ministers holding important portfolios are unaffected during the shakeup, although some of the ministers, who were under public glare for their high handedness were dropped.
The president also dissolved the National People’s Assembly (NPA), the lower house of parliament . This will pave the way for early parliamentary elections (within six months). People speculate that the elections may take place in June. The date may be firmed up shortly, say political analysts.
Earlier President Tebboune announced his decision to grant pardon to about 60 jailed Hirak activists — as a gesture to appease the supporters of popular protest movement. So far, 40 prisoners have been released. The Hirak, a popular protest movement in Algeria, had pushed President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who was in power for two decades, to resign two months later. The movement was launched on February 22 2019 and now completed two years since its origin. This peaceful movement had to suspend its weekly demonstrations in March due to the pandemic. However, the movement has widespread support among the citizens and the people’s movement continues to ask for overhauling of the system to purge out authoritarianism and corruption.
