Algeria has announced that its next election will take place on September 7, providing President Abdelmajid Tebboune with over five months to campaign if he chooses to run for a second term. The decision was made following a meeting involving key figures from Parliament, the constitutional court, and the independent election authority.
Currently, the only candidate to challenge Tebboune is Zoubida Assoul from the Union for Change and Progress. Tebboune himself has not confirmed his intention to seek reelection. This unexpected announcement has raised speculation about the reasons behind the change in the election schedule.
Assoul, a prominent 67-year-old lawyer known for her defense of political prisoners, expressed her candidacy with the belief that she can bring about positive change. The upcoming election will be the first since Tebboune assumed office in 2019, following a low-turnout election in December of that year.
After coming to power, Tebboune faced challenges from activists who boycotted the election and demanded broader political reforms. While he initially made efforts to address some of their concerns, there have been ongoing crackdowns on activists and journalists critical of the government.
Algeria's economy continues to face difficulties, with heavy reliance on oil and gas revenues leading to issues such as inflation, unemployment, and food shortages. Despite a temporary boost in natural gas revenue due to the conflict in Ukraine, the country's economic challenges persist.
Algeria's election in September will be closely watched as the country navigates political and economic uncertainties amidst a changing global landscape.
