The Arab Spring and the revolution in neighboring Libya may be affecting Algeria as political maneuvering weakens the country’s moderate Islamist party.The withdrawal of a moderate Islamist party known as the Movement for a Peaceful Society (MSP) from Algeria’s governing coalition on January 1 is likely an attempt to gain support from other Islamist groups in April’s parliamentary elections. MSP is banking on the recent victories of Islamist parties in other Arab countries to spill over into Algeria and boost its strength in the upcoming election. Abou Djara Soltani, the leader of the MSP, announced the withdrawal from the presidential coalition formed in 2004 as he accused his former partners, the National Liberation Front (FLN) and the National Democratic Rally (RND), of “emptying the political reforms of their substance in the name of partisan interests.”