In the late 1980s, with the economy failing due to rapidly falling oil prices, tension rose between elements of the regime who supported Bendjedid's economic liberalization policies, and those who wanted a return to the statist model.
Pada akhir 1980-an, dengan ekonomi gagal karena cepat harga minyak anjlok, ketegangan meningkat antara unsur-unsur rezim yang mendukung kebijakan-kebijakan liberalisasi ekonomi Bendjedid, dan mereka yang ingin kembali ke model statis.