Week 1-7 february:
• Algeria’s parliament will be voting on a new constitution that’s aimed at reforming the country by limiting presidents to two terms and recognizing the language used by its Berber minority as official.
• The new text is being presented on Sunday to the assembly and the senate. It was promised by 79-year-old President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and his government following the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings in neighboring countries. It limits presidents to two five-year terms. The long-ailing Bouteflika was re-elected for a fourth term in 2014.
• The charter would also require a parliamentary majority to name a prime minister, who is now appointed by the president.
• It includes Amazigh as an official language in a move hailed by activists, who had pushed for recognition for years. Arabic would remain the official government language.