The leading party in the governing coalition, the National Liberation Front, or FLN, has pushed for months for a constitutional change. With Bouteflika its president and Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem its secretary general, the FLN -- the sole party for nearly 30 years, until 1989 -- is well-placed to get its way.
But health issues raise some questions.
Bouteflika was rushed to France in 2005 with what was said to be a bleeding ulcer. But doubts were raised about the real nature of his illness with observers, including doctors, concluding that he may suffer from stomach cancer.
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