The president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, will push through amendments to the constitution enabling him to stand for a third term in 2009. These are likely to be approved by referendum, following the local elections in November 2007. Underground Islamist groups will represent a persistent, and possibly increasing, security menace, but do not pose a threat to underlying political stability. The macroeconomic outlook is strongly positive owing to the beneficial effects of high oil and gas prices and several large-scale heavy industry and infrastructure projects. Real GDP growth is forecast to rise to 5.3% in 2008 and 5.9% in 2009 and the current account will post large surpluses, which will average around 20.6% of GDP in 2008-09.