Pressure Surrounding Upcoming Elections in Algeria
Algeria, the only North African state “untouched by the Arab spring”, will be under tremendous pressure as it prepares for parliamentary elections this coming May. Algerian authorities recently gave the green light for ten additional political parties to stand in the elections, but a larger problem has surfaced–the apathy of the Algerian electorate.
The last elections saw a 35% turn out, the lowest number in Algerian history. The government has resorted to text messages reminding Algerians, that “voting is an act of citizenship and responsibility.” The Algerian people have watched neighbors Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt revolt in the face of autocracy and with this “fresh in their minds” will by no means tolerate elections fraud. Sheikh Abdullah Djaballah, leader of the moderate Front for Freedom and Justice Party, warned that fraud will cause “an explosion” and ignite the country in conflict.
The elections will present long-waited for opportunities to Islamist parties. Parties such as Amara Benyounes’ Union for Democracy and the Republic and Abdallah Saad Djaballah’s Justice and Development Front are going to get a chance they have waited on for years. Ali Laskri, Secretary General of the Socialists Forces Front (FFS) believes that the government is not “opening” but “fragementing the electorate.” President of the Social Movement for Peace Bougerra Soltani, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, has called on the Islamist parties to form an alliance in preparation for the elections.
The fair, credible elections in 1991 resulted in a victory for Islamist parties. Weary of the Islamist front, the ruling military government cancelled the elections causing the populace to erupt into civil war costing 200,000 their lives. Djaballah said the Islamists want “social justice” and “an end to corruption” and will not impose a strict Muslim moral code on society. ” An Islamist majority in Parliament would still give them limited influence, according to the Algerian constitution, which gives the president power to appoint the government without the parliament’s approval.
