Algeria election tests voter interest after Hirak protests
Algerians are choosing a new 407-seat parliament in a vote watched for turnout and the strength of established parties.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Algerians vote July 2 for a new People’s National Assembly, in an election Al Jazeera described as a measure of public engagement more than seven years after the Hirak protest movement. The vote will choose all 407 members of parliament and comes amid debate over whether changes since the 2019 ouster of longtime President Abdelaziz Bouteflika have altered the balance of power.
The Independent National Authority of Elections, known as ANIE, said more than 24.7 million people are registered to vote, including about 854,000 Algerians living abroad. The campaign formally opened on June 12, according to Al Jazeera.
Turnout is a central issue. Al Jazeera reported that participation is expected to be low, after the 2021 parliamentary election drew 23 percent turnout, a sign of widespread disengagement from formal politics.
Government presents vote as reform step
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has cast the election as part of building what he calls a “new Algeria” after the 2019 uprising, according to Al Jazeera. He has said the Hirak movement “saved Algeria from collapse” and has urged citizens to vote to strengthen institutional legitimacy.
Critics cited by Al Jazeera say Algeria’s executive branch still dominates political life, while parliament has a limited legislative role. They also say opposition activity remains constrained by legal and political pressure.
Electoral authorities said hundreds of candidates and party lists were rejected during nomination checks because of eligibility and legal compliance rules, Al Jazeera reported. Opposition figures and rights groups said stricter election laws have expanded state oversight of political competition.
Several activists associated with Hirak have faced prosecution or restrictions since 2019, according to Al Jazeera. They include Karim Tabbou, a prominent opposition figure and critic of what he has described as narrowing political space.
Tebboune has rejected those criticisms, saying reforms have strengthened institutions while preserving stability, Al Jazeera reported. Algerian authorities have also rejected criticism from human rights groups, saying political participation has widened as the state protects stability.
Established parties remain central
Voters will cast ballots under an open-list proportional representation system, which lets them choose party lists and indicate preferences for individual candidates, according to Al Jazeera.
The governing National Liberation Front, or FLN, and its pro-government ally, the National Democratic Rally, are competing with opposition parties including the Movement of Society for Peace, as well as nationalist, Islamist and independent lists. Al Jazeera reported that the FLN held 105 seats in the outgoing 407-member chamber.
Some opposition parties that boycotted the 2021 election are taking part this time. Al Jazeera named the Socialist Forces Front, the Workers’ Party and the Rally for Culture and Democracy among those participating, reflecting disagreement over whether engagement or boycott offers more influence.
Economic concerns shape campaign
Jobs, purchasing power, housing and investment have featured in the campaign, according to Al Jazeera. The government has pointed to spending programmes and infrastructure investment funded largely by hydrocarbon revenue, which dominates Algeria’s exports.
Al Jazeera reported that inflation pressures and uneven job creation continue to affect public opinion, especially among younger voters entering a labour market with limited opportunities outside the public sector and activity linked to hydrocarbons.
The state’s reliance on oil and gas revenue also leaves public spending exposed to swings in global energy prices, according to Al Jazeera. Authorities acknowledge that energy income is a key factor in maintaining social spending commitments and economic stability.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have raised concerns about limits on opposition activity, independent media and civil society, Al Jazeera reported. Algerian authorities reject that criticism, saying reforms have broadened participation while safeguarding stability.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.