In Algeria, Three Candidates Contend in the Presidential Race

The current leadership is headed by 78-year-old President Abdelmadjid Tebboune who was elected in 2019 after pro-democracy protests ousted long-term President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Tebboune, who is backed by the military and establishment, rose to power in a widely boycotted election that protesters decried as a ploy to protect the existing oppressive system. He won 58 percent of the vote, though low turnout meant that translated to just 20 percent of Algeria's registered voters.

Upon his election, Tebboune promised a range of reforms pertaining to longstanding corruption that had been thriving under Bouteflika’s two-decade rule. He was going to revive the economy, empower an independent judiciary and work with the Hirak movement of young protesters that had ended Bouteflika’s rule.

Instead, he has clamped down on these very same protesters by criminalizing freedom of expression and censoring the media. In February, Amnesty International’s regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, Heba Morayef, said, “It is a tragedy that five years after brave Algerians took to the streets in their masses to demand political change and reforms, the authorities have continued to wage a chilling campaign of repression.”

Even though his government continued to see mass protests, which were only stopped by strict COVID-19 regulations that many say were utilized to undermine political dissent, Tebboune announced on July 11 that he will seek reelection. He said he’s doing so in response to support from political parties and young people.

Tebboune’s first term as president resembled that of other authoritarian politicians in the region who continue to uphold the methods of repressive military regimes and thwart people’s attempts to dismantle corrupt establishments. According to Ghebouli, “the authorities’ repressive strategies are not often set by the incumbent administration but are rather part of a long-standing authoritarian policy that defines the core of the Algerian regime.”

The race

Besides Tebboune, 34 candidates initially announced their intent to run in the election, three of whom were women. In the end, only three managed to acquire enough signatures to appear on the ballot: at least 50,000 signatures from registered voters in half of the country’s 58 regions or signatures from 600 elected members from at least 29 of Algeria's various provinces. Louisa Hanoune, a key opposition figure of the Algerian Workers Party quit the presidential race because of "unfair conditions."

More than 24 million Algerians are eligible to vote in the election, but public apathy towards the political class is growing. People expect candidates to provide concrete reforms on domestic affairs, such as diversifying the economy and dismantling corruption, as well as improving foreign policy by ensuring national security amidst regional conflicts, such as in Mali and Niger.

The election coincides with Israel’s war on Gaza and a major global responsibility for Algeria, who is currently serving as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for a term of 2 years. The Algerian government submitted a proposal to the Security Council in May, urging an end to Israel’s war on Gaza. Algeria and Palestine have a relationship of historical and emotional solidarity, with Tebboune going as far as promising to send military troops to aid in the reconstruction of Gaza, if Egypt opens its borders. All candidates take Algeria’s continued support of Palestine seriously, and often refer to it in their rallies.

The question of individual and collective liberties continues to be most pressing to people who are still invested in the goals of the Hirak movement, but are now fighting against the further erosion of human rights under Tebboune.

The candidates

On September 7, Tebboune will face Youcef Aouchiche of the Socialist Forces Front, Algeria’s largest and oldest opposition party, and Abdellah Hassan Cherif of the Islamist party Movement for Society and Peace.

Tebboune is running as an independent candidate, with a program that aims to be “economic.” He has promised to build two million housing units, increase irrigated agricultural areas, achieve self-sufficiency in durum wheat, promote regional development and boost national production in all areas.

Aouchiche titled his electoral program “Vision,” proposing several changes to the country’s judiciary, political and social systems. He wants to adopt a semi-presidential system with a parliamentary focus. This would take away power from individual authorities in favor of strengthening institutions.

Cherif says that his program “prioritizes investing in human resources” and gives special importance to women and youth. He has committed himself to carrying out a global reform of the education system on all levels, to raise teachers’ salaries, and to “set up a million businesses for young people, as well as an allowance for homemakers.”

In light of extreme media censorship and a climate of fear, journalistic and political opinions are overwhelmingly pessimistic about a fair electoral outcome, predicting a sure win for Tebboune and, by extension, the military and elites which have held a tight grip over Algeria for decades.

Over the course of 2024, 20 African countries will be holding elections. For more election coverage, check out our Election Tracker.