ALGIERS: Algeria’s military-backed President Abdulmadjid Tebboune is poised for a decisive victory in Saturday’s election, with expectations high for him to secure another five-year term.
The election has drawn little serious opposition, with Tebboune facing only two candidates—one a moderate Islamist and the other from the secular opposition—neither of whom challenge the military establishment that has dominated since the 1960s.
Tebboune’s likely win will mean a continuation of policies focused on boosting the country’s energy exports and implementing limited pro-business reforms while maintaining generous subsidies and a firm control over internal dissent.
A key point of interest for many Algerians will be voter turnout, with hopes that it will surpass the 40% seen in the 2019 election, which occurred amid mass ‘Hirak’ protests that led to the resignation of Tebboune’s predecessor, Abdulaziz Bouteflika.
In Lakhdaria, east of Algiers, Naima Belgacem, who benefits from the 15,000 dinars ($113) monthly unemployment benefit introduced by Tebboune, plans to vote in the election. “It’s not a large amount, but it helps with phone bills and other expenses,” Belgacem explained.
Despite a decrease in Algeria’s unemployment rate to 12.25% last year from over 14% during the COVID pandemic, many young Algerians like Belgacem are still struggling to find work. Tebboune has pledged to increase unemployment benefits and create half a million jobs.
Belgacem, who holds a diploma from a business school in Algiers, continues to search for work in the capital but has yet to find a job.
Government Spending on Social Housing
The International Monetary Fund recently commended Algeria’s economic reforms aimed at diversifying away from oil and gas and promoting private sector growth, which could stimulate employment. However, the IMF also cautioned that high government spending and large deficits could leave public finances vulnerable to economic fluctuations.
This increased spending is evident in Algiers, where new social housing developments have emerged in the capital’s suburbs, with election posters prominently displayed in these newly established neighborhoods.
The contrast with the 2019 election is notable. At that time, President Bouteflika, who had been in office for two decades, was in poor health and rarely appeared in public. Falling energy prices since 2014 have severely impacted state finances, resulting in significant cuts to government spending on housing and other benefits.
The 2019 protests, which saw hundreds of thousands demand an end to corruption and the ousting of the old political elite, continued even after Bouteflika’s departure. However, the COVID pandemic halted demonstrations, and a series of arrests targeted some protest leaders, leading to a decline in the movement.
Amnesty International recently reported that Algerian authorities have employed new laws to suppress dissent and cracked down on opponents leading up to the election.
