Algerians Head to Polls in Presidential Election with Incumbent Seemingly Secure in Position
Algerians have cast their votes in an early presidential election, with current president and defense minister, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, favored for re-election. Tebboune, in office since December 2019, called for early elections due to “technical reasons,” with more than 24.3 million eligible voters participating in the polls.
Tebboune, aged 78, a former member of Algeria’s leading party, is running as an independent with promises to boost the economy and housing sector. Competing against Tebboune are Abdelaali Hassani Cherif from the Movement of Society for Peace party and Youcef Aouchiche from the Socialist Forces Front.
The campaign period, held from August to September, saw candidates advocating for different platforms, with the winner needing at least 51 percent of the votes to secure a five-year term. Results are expected imminently, with the future leader granted authority in appointing government officials.