Algeria’s President Tebboune Secures 95% of Votes in Landslide Victory

Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has been re-elected, securing an overwhelming 95% of the vote, according to preliminary results. The election, marked by a 48% voter turnout, ensured Tebboune’s second five-year term without the need for a run-off. His main challengers, Abdelaali Hassani Cherif, who received 3%, and Youcef Aouchiche with 2%, ran with the endorsement of the powerful Algerian establishment.

Tebboune, a military-backed candidate, faced nominal opposition. Cherif’s campaign alleged election irregularities, including inflated results and proxy voting, but these claims have not been independently verified. The electoral commission, however, maintained that the process was transparent and competitive.

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This victory suggests continuity in Algeria’s governance, particularly in maintaining social spending programs, which Tebboune expanded during his first term, funded by increased energy revenues. The rise in European demand for Algerian gas due to the Ukraine war bolstered the country’s economy, despite lingering high inflation and unemployment rates, which remain above 12%.

Tebboune’s re-election, like his first win in 2019 following the mass “hirak” protests, comes amid skepticism from portions of the population, particularly the youth, many of whom did not vote. The Hirak movement had initially called for a radical change in the military-backed regime, but the protests subsided due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Tebboune’s government has since cracked down on dissent.

While Algeria has made some efforts to reform its economy, diversifying beyond hydrocarbons, challenges remain, particularly regarding unemployment and inflation. Despite economic reforms aimed at bolstering the private sector, Algeria’s economy is still heavily reliant on oil and gas, with hydrocarbons accounting for over 90% of its exports.

Tebboune’s foreign policy has also seen mixed results. While Algeria remains a key energy supplier to Europe, its influence in Africa and the broader region faces challenges. Efforts to mediate in the Sahel region and join influential global groups like BRICS have been less successful, highlighting the complexities of Algeria’s role in regional and global politics. Nonetheless, Tebboune’s leadership ensures continuity in Algeria’s balancing act between Western powers and long-standing ties with Russia.

His victory marks another chapter in Algeria’s political landscape, where military influence remains strong, and the prospects for deep political change remain elusive.