“Our prime goal is stability, which gives an ample room for political plurality,” Soltani

PARIS , April 12 (IslamOnline.net) – Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika bridges the gap between Algeria ’s different political currents, the president of the Islamic-oriented Movement of the Society for Peace (MSP) said Monday, April 12.

Abou Djerra Soltani told IslamOnline.net that the April 8 Presidential election in Algeria reflected an “ardent desire by the Algerians for stability and national reconciliation”.

Bouteflika was re-elected Friday, April 9, into office with 83.49 percent of the vote.

Bouteflika’s staunch rival, former Prime Minister Ali Benflis, came distant second with only 7.93 percent of votes.

“The Algerians want someone who can strike the right balance between all parties on the political landscape,” Soltani said, speaking on the sidelines of a joint conference for the Islamic organizations in France .

“This election has indeed entrenched a new concept for national reconciliation in the country, which helps bridge the gap between the Islamic, Democratic and National currents.”

He said the MSP staunchly supports this vision as it follows in the footsteps of its late leader Mahfoud Nahnah, who passed away last June.

Bouteflika’s election campaign gained momentum last month with the pledged support of Ennahda (Renaissance) Movement and the MSP.

Stability

On the portfolios expected to be held by MSP members in the new cabinet, Soltani said his party is against any form of power struggle, noting that its support for Bouteflika was a case in point.

“Our prime goal is stability, which gives an ample room for political plurality, and I’m pretty sure that our [reconciliation] efforts will pay off,” Soltani said.

“I believe that all Algerians are yearning for this stability under the umbrella of Islam, Arabism, territorial integrity and common history.”

But Soltani said his party will try in the days to come to reach out to the grassroots and be represented across the country’s political hierarchy “in a positive and constructive manner”.

“We want all fair and qualified parties, who can cope with the goals of the Presidential coalition, to be key players on the political spectrum unconditionally,” he added.

Asked about the fate of the Islamic Salvation Front (ISF), Soltani said the front “no longer exists as an organization, but is still popular”.