Algeria election to take place amid ‘steady erosion of human rights’
GuardianSEP 13 2024
Abdelmadjid Tebboune has reportedly been re-elected President of Algeria, with the country's electoral commission declaring in his favor 95% of the votes polled Saturday.
The results declared Sunday showed Tebboune's rivals Abdelaali Hassani Cherif and Youcef Aouchiche winning 3% and 2% votes, respectively.
Tebboune, 78, was first elected president in 2019. This time, he had pledged to create 450K new jobs and improve social assistance if voted back to power.
Pres. Tebboune's re-election promises a period of stability for Algeria, allowing the government to address deeper issues. His increased popular support, bolstered by expanded social spending from oil and gas revenues, suggests a mandate for continuity. The backing of major political parties, unions, and the security apparatus ensures a strong foundation for governance. While the election process raises questions, Tebboune's experience and established relationships within the system position him to navigate Algeria's complex political landscape. This will potentially pave the way for gradual reforms.
Algerian democracy has become a farce, with Pres. Tebboune's reelection revealing the system’s true nature. Despite promises of reform, Tebboune, a regime insider, has merely upheld the old guard's power. The election, hastily moved to September, was a sham; Tebboune's victory was guaranteed by military backing. Opposition candidates are little more than window dressing in a political landscape marked by repression, economic stagnation, and mass disillusionment. As Algerians increasingly turn away from a system that betrays them, the dream of genuine democracy remains distant.