Bomber's ballot

Short note about what's going to be a long story: the gruesome al-Qaida attacks in Algeria have been followed by state-sponsored demonstrations across the country condemning terrorism. Good, in itself -- but it is blatantly obvious that le pouvoir is mobilizing to exploit the opportunity. The state media has gone into high-gear in its twinning of Bouteflika and "national reconciliation", and called for more of the latter in what is clearly a prequel for demanding more of the former. The demonstrations seem to have been at least as much pro-Bouteflika as anti-bin Ladin.

[picture: on the campaign trail]

The issue at stake, of course, is Boutef's attempt to rewrite the constitution and secure himself a third mandate before his current one, which was supposed to be the second and last, expires. He tried already last year, but then postponed the planned referendum after running into resistance from unnamed power brokers. Certainly the death of regime linchpin, and (at least formerly) crucial Bouteflika supporter, Smaïl Lamari now adds greatly to the confusion.

Algerian newspapers are already positioning themselves for and against by their reporting, according to their political views and sponsors, and it is evident that a serious intra-regime power struggle is heating up. Welcome back to the war of the clans.