Algeria Election Promises More Political Stagnation

Washington — When U.S. Secretary State of John Kerry visits Algiers next week, he will find a country torn over a presidential election in which aging incumbent; Abdelaziz Bouteflika is seeking fourth term despite concerns over his health.

The president has declared he is fit to govern. He has also promised reforms if elected and pledged to make the oil and gas-rich nation more democratic by amending the constitution. But both the country's largest legal Islamist party, the Movement of Society for Peace, and the liberal Rally for Culture and Democracy party have both said they will boycott the April 17 election.

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