Algerian Spring: Possibility Algerian Spring: Possibility or Utopia?or Utopia?
Tereza HyánkováTereza Hyánková University of University of PardubicePardubice (CZ)(CZ)
QuestionsQuestions
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I will focus on:
How can we explain that the Algerian regime did not change?
Is there a possibility it will happen in the near future?
Algerian protestsAlgerian protests
1988 change of political regime Protests in Kabylia (Bejaia, Tizi
Ouzou) since 1980 Protests on 29 December 2010
(unemployment, the lack of housing, food-price inflation, corruption)
Self-immolations (since January 2010)
Protests in January and February 2011 (echo of Egyptian events)
Local protests
Multiple factorsMultiple factors::
Failure of the democratic transition in 1990 – skepticism towards political change, fear of violenceAbsence of a dominant leader that would symbolize the authoritarian regime and on which the rage and frustrations of people can focusReaction of Algerian government – repressions x lowering of food prices (oil, flour), social benefits; political reformsDisintegrated political opposition; lack of trust and support of Algerian population for existing opposition political parties Berber-Arab divisionAbsence of initial enthusiasm and eagerness concerning revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya
Failure of the democratic transition in Failure of the democratic transition in 1990 1990
1990, 1991 municipal and parliamentary elections: victory of the FIS
(Front islamique du salut)
Cancelation of the second round of parliamentary elections
Persecution of the FIS
Terrorism – GIA (Groupe islamique armé), 100 000 – 200 000 estimated victims
Absence of a symbol of the Absence of a symbol of the authoritarian regimeauthoritarian regime
There is no personperson that would symbolizesymbolize the authoritarian regime and on which the rage and frustrations of people can focus as it happened in Tunisia, Egypt and LibyaTunisia, Egypt and Libya
The whole systemsystem is the cause of frustration of Algerian population
Rallies and riots – regular and ordinary events in Algeria
Abdelaziz BoutefliAbdelaziz Bouteflikkaa
Reactions of Algerian governmentReactions of Algerian government
Repressions
Lowering of food prices
Social benefits
Possible: oil revenues
Lifting of state of emergency (since 1992)
Reactions of Algerian governmentReactions of Algerian government
Political reforms - revision of the Constitution:
1.Revision of the election law
2.Revision of the law on political parties
3.Promulgation of the law concerning representation of women in parliament
4.Strengthening of prerogatives of local assemblies
5.Extension of the association movement sphere
6.Revision of the information code
Threatening by Islamism and Berberism
Disintegrated political Disintegrated political oppositionopposition
FLN (Front de la libération national) RND (Rassemblement national démocratique) – Ahmed
Ouyahia
„Kabyle“ parties: FFS (Front des Forces Socialistes), RCD (Rassemblement pour la Culture et la Démocratie)
Islamists: MSP (Mouvement de la société pour la paix, Frères musulmans), Ennahda, FIS (banned)
CNCD (CNCD (Coordination nationale pour le changement Coordination nationale pour le changement démocratiquedémocratique))
RCD, Ennahada, PST (Parti sociliste des trvailleurs)
May elections 2012May elections 2012
Source: www.north-africa.com
Multiple factorsMultiple factors::
Failure of the democratic transition in 1990 – skepticism towards political change, fear of violenceAbsence of one person that would symbolizes the authoritarian regime and on which the rage and frustrations of people can focusReaction of Algerian government – repressions, lowering of food prices (oil, flour), social benefits; small political changesDisintegrated political opposition; small trust and support of Algerian population for existing opposition political parties Berber-Arab divisionAbsence of initial enthusiasm and eagerness concerning revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya
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