Algeria to vote in post-Hirak political test | Story

Algeria will hold parliamentary elections amid debates over reform, population and political stability.

Algiers, Algeria – Algerians will vote on July 2 to elect the 407 members of the People’s National Assembly in a parliamentary election that is seen as an attempt at public and political reform seven years after the Hirak 2019 protests.

More than 24.7 million registered voters, including about 854,000 residents abroad, are eligible to vote in the election, according to the Independent National Authority of Elections (ANIE).

The turnout is expected to be low, with political factions on the rise and questions lingering about whether the reforms that have taken place since the protests that ousted President Abdelaziz Bouteflika have fundamentally changed Algerian politics.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune chose the vote as part of building a “new Algeria” after the 2019 uprising, but critics say the power of the leadership is still in place, the parliament is involved in the legislative process and the opposition is constrained by law and politics.

Strong political environment

Election officials said hundreds of candidates and several party lists were rejected during the vetting of candidates, citing eligibility and compliance requirements. Critics and rights groups say the stricter electoral laws have increased the scrutiny of political contests.

Several activists linked to Hirak’s group have been indicted or banned since 2019, including Karim Tabbou, a prominent dissident who has been jailed repeatedly and is a vocal critic of what he describes as political decline.

Tebboune has rejected such criticism, the controversial reforms have strengthened the institutions and maintained stability. He previously described Hirak’s movement as having “saved Algeria from collapse” and urged citizens to vote to confirm the legitimacy of the institutions.

Big blogs are back

Algerians will vote according to the manifesto system, which allows voters to select party lists and express their preferences.

The ruling National Liberation Front (FLN) and its pro-government partner, the National Democratic Rally (RND), are facing competition from opposition parties including the Movement of Society for Peace (MSP), as well as nationalist, Islamist and independent lists.

The FLN won 105 of the 407 seats in the resulting parliament.

Voter turnout for the 2021 elections has dropped to 23 percent, reflecting the apathy of the majority.

Officials say the vote is part of a move to strengthen unions after the Hirak protests, while critics say the government has not changed.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have complained about restrictions on opposition activities, independent media and government agencies. Algerian officials reject criticism, saying the reforms have increased political participation and protected stability.

Several opposition parties that boycotted the 2021 vote, including the Socialist Forces Front (FFS), the Workers’ Party (PT) and the Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD), are taking part this time around, demonstrating the argument that participation or a boycott gives greater influence.

A financial crisis is imminent

Economic issues are expected to feature prominently, with campaigns on jobs, purchasing power, housing and money. The government has announced spending programs and investment programs that are heavily supported by hydrocarbon revenues, which lead to exports.

The challenges of inflation and uneven job creation continue to generate public interest, especially among young voters who are entering the labor market as job opportunities remain limited outside of the public sector and hydrocarbon-related activities.

At the same time, the reliance on energy spending has left government spending vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil and gas prices, which officials agree are critical to maintaining spending promises and economic stability.

The official campaign began on June 12.