Algeria has reelected its sitting President Abdul Aziz Bouteflika for the fourth time. This was an expected outcome from the start of the election process, namely for lack of competition and since Algeria’s opposition parties had called for a boycott of the elections. His main opponent, former prime minister Ali Benflis, came a distant second with just 12 per cent of the vote and made sure to air his dismay. Following the election results, Benflis told his supporters that Algeria will now “be run by proxy, a singular situation that puts the security of the country in danger”.
Looking ahead, it is imperative for Bouteflika to focus on reconciliatory efforts that will address the opposition’s grievances and allow for a smooth continuity of his leadership. His main challenge will be to find a way to mobilise Algeria’s vast young population, who have legitimate concerns about their future but have, generally, avoided political participation. Seventy per cent of the country’s 37 million people are under the age of 30 and their main issues centre around their economic woes: unemployment rates are still very high and housing is an ongoing problem. Another source of contention has been the poor quality of life — a little over 23 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line.
Given his lack of participation in this election, Bouteflika will have to show the Algerian people that he is ready to tackle head-on their economic suffering right away.
