Algiers - Hocine Bousalah
Abdelaziz Bouteflika selected 7 officials from Ahmed Ouyahia’s government
Seven ministers of former Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia’s government and a number that left in the recent reshuffle have been appointed by Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika as members in the national assembly.
Hadi Khaldi, Abu Bakr Ben
Bouzid, Norah Jaafar, Djamel Ould Abbas, Hachemi Djiar and Al-Barakat, Nasser Mahel were all on the list of the new government officials.
President Bouteflika also renewed his confidence in the current President of the assembly Abdelkader Bensalah suggesting that he may be appointed the new leader of the lower chamber of parliament.
The official inauguration of the new members is expected on Wednesday, it will be followed by electing or appointing the president of the assembly, although all indications favour appointing current President Abdelkader Bensalah.
Analysts think that President Bouteflika is keen to balance his selection new MPs. The list includes some who are loyal to him, as well as other more revolutionary names.
He has also appointed people from the two biggest political parties.