Algeria to hold municipal and provincial council elections

Elections for municipal and provincial councils will be held today across Algeria.

The vote comes a year earlier than originally scheduled and follows a year after a constitutional referendum was held. The referendum was meant to be seen as an olive branch extended to the Hirak protesters—the movement that forced the resignation of long-time president Abdelaziz Bouteflika in 2019— by the new government of President Abdelmajid Tebboune. Following the referendum, Algerians voted in June in a parliamentary election that was marked by low turnout as Algerians have lost faith in the new regime.

Recent crackdowns on protests in Algeria have put into question the future of the Hirak movement as members have revived demands for the country to commit to democratic reforms. Although Hirak continues to attract new protesters, they are fewer than in the movement’s early days.

Pro-government parties have urged Algerians to turn up today in large numbers. Expect to see anti-government demonstrations throughout the nation and an increase in government security presence. Violence remains also a possibility as authorities have arrested protest leaders in an attempt to silence them. In the medium term, pro-government leaders will remain in power despite frustrations with the regime.

Wake up smarter with an assessment of the stories that will make headlines in the next 24 hours. Download The Daily Brief.