Pouvoir et opposition en Algérie : vers une transition prolongée ?

Abstract

In the Algerian political system, organized and structured opposition remains subject to the changes, obstacles, progress and setbacks of the governing political regime. The opening initiated by the authorities between 1989 and 1991 resulted in the emergence of a pluralistic and dynamic opposition, able to express itself through sixty “political associations” and dozens of private and public newspapers. In practice, often intense and conflicting political debates were conveyed through demonstrations and rallies, thus providing an assessment of public opinion. Radical Islamism and the eruption of terrorist violence have offered the governing elite an opportunity to renege on the progress that had been made. In the name of security, the opposition’s room for maneuver has been largely reduced. Consequently, actions on the ground have become limited and political debate boils down to a reductive dichotomy, as between “conciliators” and “eradicators”. Ultimately, the magnitude of the contestation is expressed through cyclical riots. Thus confined in a hybrid system, Algeria has fallen into the trap of the permanent transition.

Keywords

• opposition
• Algeria
• permanent transition
• radical Islamism
• riots