Algerian dilemas

Algeria's presidential election on 15 April is likely to see the regime's favoured candidate take over as head of state in a political system where governments change but the fundamentals of power remain the same. Less clear is whether the change of president will end nearly eight years of Islamist insurgency and build a new political process which will boost confidence in one of Africa's most prospective energy markets. The poll – called early by President Liamine Zeroual, who in the past year was increasingly beleaguered by faction-fighting within the regime - comes at a difficult moment. Results of exploration during the opening to international companies in the 1990s remain impressive, but the low oil price environment creates new doubts about Algerian claims to becoming the major energy provider on Europe's southern flank.