Against the backdrop of a battle between supporters and opponents of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, preparations for the 2014 presidential elections are starting in Algeria, a country in search of ideas and desperately trying to find its footing.

The two parties are openly competing for electoral hegemony in a context marked by scandals belittling prominent figures. For over 10 years, opposition groups were limited to registering for elections and most of the decisions were made by the head of state in office. But the Arab revolutions, which deposed Ben Ali and the like, gave wings to the opponents of Bouteflika, openly opposing a fourth term for the current residents of ancient Almoravia.

This is shown in the way that Ahmed Benbitour, the former prime minister, is advocating for change. “This is serious. The failed state is starting to completely decay.” This is how the situation has been interpreted by reputable economists among the population.

Benbitour is the first servant of the state to willingly leave power and thus challenge the policy advocated by Bouteflika.