Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune convened the first Council of Ministers of the newly appointed Sifi Ghrieb government on Sunday, signaling the start of a term framed by promises of efficiency and citizen-centred governance.
Speaking during the widely publicized session, Tebboune emphasized the need to place “the citizen at the heart of government action,” stressing “credibility with public opinion” and the pursuit of “lasting solutions,” while rejecting “populism and empty promises.”
The president also called for comprehensive sectoral action plans to guide upcoming cabinet meetings.
Despite the rhetoric, analysts warn that structural weaknesses in Algeria’s political and economic model remain unresolved.
The economy, heavily reliant on gas revenues, continues to struggle with diversification.
The government’s ambition to reach a GDP of $400 billion by 2027 is seen by critics as aspirational rather than grounded in current realities, with energy dependencies, limited productive investment, and declining foreign attractiveness undermining the plan.
Observers note that the emphasis on “total coordination” between ministries may reflect a centralization of power rather than a genuine modernization of governance.
Historically, successive roadmaps have faltered due to a centralized, largely unreformed administration and political blockages stemming from weak institutional checks and balances.
Social challenges also cast doubt on the government’s capacity to deliver meaningful change. Citizens face eroding purchasing power, persistent inflation, and high youth unemployment. Promises of “global immunity” and a strengthened “internal front” have been interpreted as political securitization rather than structural reform.
The official photograph marking the Council of Ministers’ meeting, widely circulated by state media, underscores the regime’s penchant for symbolism and showmanship. While the president described the government’s approach as one of “intelligent management” rather than austerity, macroeconomic indicators and entrenched institutional bottlenecks suggest significant hurdles remain before slogans can translate into tangible results for the Algerian population.
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