Algerian former Foreign Minister Ahmed Taleb Ibrahimi announced on Sunday an initiative aimed at resolving the country’s crisis that includes postponing the parliamentary elections that are set for June 12.
Former members of the Wafa Party, which Ibrahimi formed in 1999, revealed the details of the initiative that was originally prepared by members of the National Current Party, which was formed by the anti-government Hirak protesters.
The authorities have refused to grant the Current a license to operate as a political party, so Ibrahimi adopted its initiative after it approached him with it.
The initiative proposes a new “political approach that meets the legitimate demands of the Algerian people for freedom, democracy and a dignified life.”
In a statement, it called for holding “responsible dialogue” without prior judgments and for all sides to make concessions to achieve “the inevitable national consensus.”
It proposed six paths to achieve the initiative: The unconditional release of all political prisoners, opening the media to different political trends, ending all security and political violations of press freedom, opening the public arena to all Algerians without exception and ending legal crackdowns against political activists.
It called on the opposition and authorities to end all forms of mutual attacks through the media.
The parliamentary elections must be postponed and held on a date that would be agreed upon by the opposition and political parties.
It called on the ruling authority to invite parties to a “comprehensive, responsible and binding dialogue.” No side must be excluded from talks.
The military would be entrusted in ensuring that the dialogue agreements are implemented and it will also facilitate the democratic transition. “The army is the cornerstone for any political solution,” said the statement.
The dialogue would culminate in the formation of a national unity government and revision of electoral laws and political parties.
All laws that infringe on public and individual freedoms and the “political police state” must be annulled, it added.
After elections are held, the new parliament would be tasked with drafting a new constitution.
The statement also suggested holding early presidential elections, to elect a head a state who would lead the country during the transitional period and oversee the establishment of a state of laws, the withdrawal of the military from political life and the launch of radical economic reforms.
