Скачать или смотреть Algiers reactions to Bouteflika statement

(4 Mar 2019) Algiers residents on Monday reacted to Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's offer of a new constitution and a truncated next term, as announced in a statement on Sunday.
In a written message to the nation, Bouteflika said if he is re-elected April 18, he would promote political changes that his critics have demanded and call an early presidential election in which he would not run.
He also promised to fight endemic corruption, better distribute Algeria's wealth - which is heavily dependent on natural gas - and create better opportunities for Algerians who risk their lives to try to migrate across the Mediterranean to Europe.
However, critics have described the offer as a ploy to remain in power - and crowd of protesters on Sunday and Monday took to Algeria's streets to voice their opposition against Bouteflika's participation in the April vote.
Commenting on the public statement, Algiers resident Sid Ali said, "We are not okay at all. The country's political leadership just wants to buy time and share things between themselves and then they will leave."
Another resident, who did not share his name, expressed concern as to whether Bouteflika himself was in charge, referring to the President barely being seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013.
"This is enough. We know that all of this is not Bouteflika's. He has not spoken for the last six years. We are well aware that this is not on him. And what we want to know is who is behind all this. Who?" he said.
Another resident said he thought the people should wait and allow for Bouteflika to make his promised changes, stressing that he did not want for state institutions to be destroyed and for the army to take power.
Opposition parties are holding meetings Monday to decide the next steps after Bouteflika's announcement.

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