ALGIERS – Algeria‘s military-backed President Abdelmadjid Tebboune heads into Saturday’s election all but certain to win a new five-year term in a vote in which he faces little competition after using gas revenues to shore up generous social support.
Tebboune faces two candidates, one a moderate Islamist and the other from the secular opposition, but neither is seriously opposed to the military establishment, widely seen as running things since the 1960s.
Tebboune’s victory means Algeria will likely maintain policies aimed at boosting the country’s energy exports and implementing limited pro-business reforms while maintaining generous subsidies and keeping domestic opposition in check.
However, many Algerians will be watching the election to see if turnout will exceed the 40 percent recorded in the 2019 elections, which were held amid the mass “Hirak” protests that forced Tebboune’s predecessor Abdelaziz Bouteflika from power.
In Lakhdaria, east of Algiers, Naima Belkacem said she was one of about 2 million Algerians who benefited from Tebboune’s 15,000 dinar ($113) monthly unemployment benefit, and that she intended to vote in the election.
“It’s not a huge amount, but it’s still good. It covers my phone and other things,” she added.
While Algeria’s unemployment rate fell to 12.25 percent last year from more than 14 percent during the Covid pandemic in 2020, many young Algerians like Naima Belkacem are looking for work, and Tebboune has promised to increase their benefits and create half a million jobs.
Naima Belkacem, who holds a diploma from a business school in Algiers, often takes the bus to the capital in search of work but “there is nothing yet,” she said.
Reuters
#Algerian #President #Run #Saturdays #Presidential #Elections #Unopposed
2024-09-08 01:15:32
Elections Mali 2024
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Algeria’s Presidential Election: Tebboune Poised for Reelection Amid Limited Competition
Algeria’s presidential election took place on Saturday, September 7, 2024, with incumbent President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expected to win a new five-year term [1]. Tebboune faces little opposition in the election, with only two candidates vying for the top spot: a moderate Islamist and a representative from the secular opposition. However, neither of these candidates is seriously opposed to the military establishment, which has been a dominant force in Algeria since the 1960s.
Tebboune’s campaign has been bolstered by the country’s gas revenues, which he has used to shore up generous social support [1]. This has helped to maintain his popularity among many Algerians, particularly those who have benefited from his policies. For example, Naima Belkacem, a resident of Lakhdaria, east of Algiers, receives a monthly unemployment benefit of 15,000 dinar ($113) and plans to vote in the election [ query].
However, not all Algerians are optimistic about the election. Many have expressed doubts about the legitimacy of the electoral process and the limited competition [2]. Adlan, a doctor who runs his own clinic in Algeria, has even considered emigrating to Europe due to his lack of faith in the country’s political system.
The election has also been marked by a sense of disillusionment among opposition candidates. Youcef Aouchiche, a candidate from the Front des forces socialistes, has campaigned in Tizi Ouzou, but his efforts have been hampered by a lack of resources and support <a href="https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2024/09/04/en-algerie-la-campagne-sans-espoir-des-opposants-a-abdelmadjib-tebboune63034153212.html”>[3].
Despite these challenges, Tebboune’s victory is all but certain, and his reelection will likely mean that Algeria will maintain its current policies aimed at boosting energy exports and implementing limited pro-business reforms [query]. However, the country’s domestic opposition will also continue to be kept in check, and generous subsidies will be maintained.
The turnout in the election is also an important factor, with many Algerians watching to see if it will exceed the 40 percent recorded in the 2019 elections, which were held amid the mass “Hirak” protests that forced Tebboune’s predecessor Abdelaziz Bouteflika from power [query]. Regardless of the outcome, the election is a significant event in Algeria’s political landscape, and its implications will be closely watched by observers both domestically and internationally.
Abdelmadjid Tebboune political party
Algeria’s Presidential Election: Tebboune Poised for Reelection Amid Limited Competition
Algeria’s presidential election took place on Saturday, September 7, 2024, with incumbent President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expected to win a new five-year term [1]. Tebboune faces little opposition in the election, with only two candidates vying for the top spot: a moderate Islamist and a representative from the secular opposition. However, neither of these candidates is seriously opposed to the military establishment, which has been a dominant force in Algeria since the 1960s.
Tebboune’s campaign has been bolstered by the country’s gas revenues, which he has used to shore up generous social support [1]. This has helped to maintain his popularity among many Algerians, particularly those who have benefited from his policies. For example, Naima Belkacem, a resident of Lakhdaria, east of Algiers, receives a monthly unemployment benefit of 15,000 dinar ($113) and plans to vote in the election [query]. Algeria’s unemployment rate fell to 12.25 percent last year from more than 14 percent during the Covid pandemic in 2020, and Tebboune has promised to increase benefits and create half a million jobs.
However, not all Algerians are optimistic about the election. Many have expressed doubts about the legitimacy of the electoral process and the limited competition [2]. Adlan, a doctor who runs his own clinic in Algeria, has even considered emigrating to Europe due to his lack of faith in the country’s political system.
The election has also been marked by a sense of disillusionment among opposition candidates. Youcef Aouchiche, a candidate from the Front des forces socialistes, has campaigned in Tizi Ouzou, but his efforts have been hampered by a lack of resources and support [3].
Despite these challenges, Tebboune’s victory is all but certain, and his reelection will likely mean that Algeria will maintain its current policies aimed at boosting energy exports and implementing limited pro-business reforms [query]. However, the country’s domestic opposition will also continue to be kept in check, and generous subsidies will be maintained.
The turnout in the election is also an important factor, with many Algerians watching to see if it will exceed the
