Algeria is holding a parliamentary election on July 2, with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune presenting the vote as a step toward renewing the country's political institutions. However, observers expect neither a change in power nor a fundamental shift in the political system.
Many Algerians are currently focused on soccer: the national team has qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Robin Frisch, head of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation's office in Algiers, noted that the elections are competing with the World Cup and summer vacations, but remain an important political event.
Around 24.7 million Algerians are eligible to vote for the 407-seat National Assembly. Political scientist Rachid Ouaissa of Philipps University Marburg highlighted the large number of independent candidates, interpreting this as a sign that parts of society are again seeing parliament as a political arena.
Voter turnout is a key concern: in 2021, it was only 23%, a historic low. A further decline would reinforce distrust in state institutions. The democratic quality of the system remains controversial, with Freedom House classifying Algeria as "not free" and the Bertelsmann Transformation Index noting a return to pre-Arab Spring conditions.
Electoral reforms have drawn criticism, including expanded powers for the electoral authority ANIE and a reduction in the women's quota from 50% to one-third. The return of opposition parties after boycotting the 2021 election is seen by some as resulting from institutional pressure rather than political opening.
Despite this, there are signs of change: participation of former Hirak activists and new civil society initiatives. However, experts like Frisch note that decisive political initiatives do not originate in parliament, which serves a rubber-stamp function. Ouaissa is more optimistic, suggesting President Tebboune may work with a parliament less shaped by old networks.
The election is significant for Europe, particularly France, as Algeria has become a key energy partner and plays a central role in migration and Sahel stabilization. While the vote is unlikely to alter the political balance, it highlights tensions between calls for renewal and a system where power centers lie outside parliament.
Source: www.dw.com