Algeria answers calls for fundamental change with old guard candidates
Turnout to Algeria’s elections could be as low as 10%, and any winner is likely to be weak, unable to impose policy without compromise and negotiation.
The Algerian government is asking its people to go to the polls tomorrow, Dec. 12, in one of the most controversial elections of recent times.
After tomorrow’s vote, Africa’s largest country will have a new president whose mandate, Algeria’s political establishment will claim, will allow them to lead the country forward and serve as the figurehead that a protest-weary populace can finally rally around.
Five candidates have made it through to the final round on Dec. 12. However, none of the potential voters Al-Monitor spoke to on Dec. 10 expressed interest in supporting any of those fielded, potentially undermining any winning candidate's claim to legitimacy.
Standing on Thursday are former Prime Ministers Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Ali Benflis. Also in contention is the country’s former Culture Minister Azzedine Mihoubi and former Tourism Minister Abdelkader Bengrina. Abdelaziz Belaid, the head of El Mostakbal Movement, is also in contention.
