ALGERIA BETWEEN TRANSITION AND RESTORATION

Rachid Ouaissa, Professor of Middle Eastern Politics at the University of Marburg

Moderation Gudrun Harrer, Senior Editor, Der Standard; she teaches Modern History and Politics of the Near and Middle East at the University of Vienna and at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.

Since the end of February, millions of Algerians of all generations and from all regions of the country have been protesting against Bouteflika's candidacy for a fifth term in office. The protests initially began in football stadiums. Now the mobilisation has reached all 48 districts of the country as well as the diaspora in France, Canada, Austria, Belgium and Germany. Two main protagonists can be identified: the youth and the middle classes. In 20 years, President Bouteflika has built a system based on neoliberalism, the military, tribalism and a non-market orientated business mafia. The protests may have brought down the facades of the Algerian regime, but the deep and internal structures of the power apparatus remain intact.
In this presentation, I will discuss the difficulties of transition in rent-dependent states such as Algeria. The nature of the Algerian regime and the possibilities of transition will be discussed.