The text discusses the political turmoil in Algeria and its implications for France and Europe. The main points can be summarized as follows:
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President's Fifth Term: Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's decision to seek a fifth term has sparked widespread discontent among the population. His recent hospitalization in Switzerland and his commitment to call for early presidential elections have not alleviated this discontent.
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Government Structure: The government structure under Bouteflika's absence is characterized by a 'mafia' of his brothers, associates, businessmen, and politicians who have been accused of systematic plundering of the country's resources, particularly oil and gas.
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External Support: The stability of Algeria and the broader region is prioritized by Western powers including France, the European Union, and the United States. This has led to their tacit support of Bouteflika's presidency despite the growing unrest.
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Public Response: Large-scale protests across major Algerian cities have seen the emergence of slogans such as "Bouteflika, no third term" indicating a desire for change and a shift from being a subordinate to becoming a citizen. These protests reflect a level of political maturity akin to that of the 'yellow vests' movement in France.
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Economic and Social Issues: High unemployment, poverty, and deteriorating public services have fueled discontent. The weakening of state finances due to stagnant oil and gas production, decreasing export revenues, and rising domestic consumption have exacerbated these issues.
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Corruption and Privatization: Corruption has eroded the political system while wealthy businesspeople connected to the regime display unprecedented wealth, marking a stark contrast with the 1970s and 80s.
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New Era in Algerian History: Algeria is experiencing a significant transformation, with youth, modernization, and access to the rule of law taking center stage. This has implications not only for France, Spain, Italy, and Europe but also for neighboring countries in the Maghreb and Sahel.
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Complicity of Military: There is evidence of complicity, if not endorsement, of protesters' demands for change by many officers in the Algerian military and security forces. This suggests a more nuanced understanding of the situation than simply attributing it to the "Arab Spring".
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Division Beyond Islamists vs Anti-Islamists: The traditional division between Islamists and anti-Islamists, which had defined Algerian politics, is no longer the primary source of division.
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External Silence: It is recommended that Europe, particularly the EU, remain silent on the issue publicly. Past betrayals of democratic ideals and involvement in corruption make it difficult for the EU to offer lessons on democracy to the Algerian people.
