In Algeria, incumbent president Bouteflika intends to run for a fourth term, despite reports of his ailing health; speculation says this is primarily motivated by a desire to curb the influence of the intelligence service (DRS) and its leader, General Mediene. Other candidates are also considering running in the 2014 presidential elections, among them author Yasmina Khadra and insiders Ali Benflis and Ahmed Benbitour, and Algeria’s Islamists are reportedly in discussions to select a consensus candidate. Algerian bloggers currently appear to predict either a Bouteflika or Benbitour victory.
Egypt’s constitutional committee continues to vote on individual articles of the draft constitution. Amendments might include expanding military powers, removing details (Article 219) regarding how shari’a will be interpreted, and a possible ban on religious parties. The final draft is scheduled to be put to referendum on December 3 “or early January next year” (read: no sooner than March), and CSOs wishing to monitor the polls have until this Saturday to apply for permits.
Iraq has set the date of its next parliamentary elections for April 30, 2014, after finally passing its new election law.
MENA and Beyond 