Algeria's Ruling FLN Wins Parliament as Turnout Hits Record Low

Algeria's ruling National Liberation Front (FLN) has won the most seats in the country's latest parliamentary elections, according to results announced by the national election board on Monday. The party secured 90 of the 407 seats in the July 2 vote.

Despite the FLN's lead, the election was overshadowed by a record-low turnout. Only around 21 percent of the country's 25-million-strong electorate cast their ballots, marking the weakest participation in recent memory.

A Vote Marked by Apathy and Controversy

The poll was clouded by widespread public apathy and disputes over the exclusion of candidates. The government barred roughly a third of prospective candidates from taking part, fueling criticism of the process.

Karim Khelfane, interim head of the National Independent Elections Authority (ANIE), addressed the high abstention rate after unveiling the results. He argued that low participation was "not specific to Algeria" and described the elections as transparent.

Turnout Continues to Fall

The latest figure represents a further decline from previous elections. In the 2021 legislative poll, turnout stood at 23 percent, which was itself a historic low at the time. That vote was the first held since a major pro-democracy movement reshaped the country's political landscape in 2019.

The Hirak protest movement erupted in February 2019, drawing large crowds across Algeria. It ultimately led to the resignation of long-serving president Abdelaziz Bouteflika two months later.

Political Backdrop

The momentum of the protests slowed in 2020 as Covid-19 pandemic restrictions took hold. The period was also marked by intensified pressure on Hirak activists, political opponents, journalists and bloggers.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was elected in December 2019 and went on to secure a second term in 2024. The persistently low turnout in successive votes highlights the challenges facing Algeria's political establishment in engaging its electorate.

As Algeria digests the outcome of this latest election, questions about public trust and participation remain firmly in focus. What do you make of the record-low turnout? Share this article and join the conversation.

Source: France 24 – English