New Municipal Code: absolute power to mayors

Algiers- Minister for Local Government, Dahou Ould Kablia, said that the entry into force of the new municipal code, the draft will be submitted to the government council in the coming weeks, will allow mayors greater independence than they have today.

• In return, they would be unable to perform their former jobs and will devote themselves to their tasks with the benefit of an allowance added to the salary of the president of the Communal People's Assembly.
  
  - Does the definition of the respective functions of the State, the province and the municipality, means that there is an overlapping in powers at present?
  
  We have defined the duties of each official institution, so that each assumes the responsibilities conferred upon them in a better way. The president of a municipality may not consult with the State in making any decision that he considers appropriate for the municipality and the project code will be presented to the government in the next two weeks.
  
  
• - Before presenting the draft of the municipal code to the government, did the party leaders who control much in the affairs of municipalities across the country discuss it?
  
  The proposed municipal code, was introduced more than once in the Councils of Ministers, and has been discussed by the parties of the presidential coalition, as party leaders, not as ministers, indirectly in the form of dialogue.
  
  
• - This project highlights the need for the mayor to focus on his function, does it mean, in your opinion, that the presidents of municipalities neglect their duties?
   
  To allow the mayor commit to his mission, he is supposed to abandon his previous function and stay in his office to ensure the smooth running of the municipal affairs, if the mayor is a doctor or director of an institution or else for exemple, he will receive compensation for his old job, in addition to his salary of "Mayor".
  
  - Why have municipal delegations been excluded in the capital?
   
  We have had great difficulty in that case, this is the reason why they were excluded, pending the code for this which will be based on the policy guidelines of the political system.
  
  - Involving the expenditure of several municipalities in a province for the planning and development, don’t you think that this would further complicate the blocks registered now at the municipal level?
  
  This is done according to the will and desire, it is not mandatory.
   
  - What will be the role of a mayor after ratification of the Bill and its entry into force?
• 
   The mayors will have greater powers than they currently have, and of course it would be after the ratification of the proposed municipal code and its entry into force.
  
  Ennahar / interview by Habiba Mahmoudi