Algerian President Pledges constitutional reforms

Algerian President Pledges constitutional reforms

The Algerian president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, has pledged reforms after weeks of simmering protests.

Bouteflika said this on Friday, in a televised address to the nation.

Key reforms

The president said that he had decided to amend the constitution "to reinforce representative democracy" in Algeria, and that he will also launch other legislative reforms.

"I will urge the parliament to review the entire legislative framework," he said.

Bouteflika, who has not spoken in public for at least three months, also vowed to take steps to tackle unemployment.

He said that Algeria was moving to achieve the demands of the people, especially the young and unemployed, and outlined a number of measures to help the poor.

President Bouteflika said that the government will subsidise housing to make it more affordable, to ensure that everyone enjoyed their citizenship and that no one had more privileges than the others.

Tackling corruption

He also pledged a new programme to develop the administration system and "stop any embezzlement of national wealth".

Sporadic protests have been held in Algeria in recent months.
In response, to protest that have been held in Algeria in recent months, Bouteflika lifted a 19-year old state of emergency in February.

Al Jezeera/Williams