‘No reshape’: Algeria prepares for elections but few hold out hope for change

‘No reshape’: Algeria prepares for elections but few hold out hope for change Submitted by Adlene Meddi on Thu, 06/04/2026 - 09:15 Opposition parties are willing to re-engage with political process, even though it remains under establishment control Elections staff count ballots during the last Algerian elections, at a polling station in Bouchaoui, near Algiers, on 12 June 2021 (Ryad Kramdi/AFP) Off As Algeria prepares to hold parliamentary elections next month, there is scant hope that these could mark a new political opening, seven years after the derailed pro-democracy Hirak protests. On 2 July, Algerians will be called upon to elect the 407 members of the National People's Assembly (APN) for a five-year term. The last legislative election in 2021 saw a record abstention rate: only 23 percent of eligible voters participated, according to official figures, while the vote was also boycotted by most opposition parties.