Algeria votes in parliamentary test of post-Hirak political landscape

Algerians are voting on July 2 in legislative elections for the 407-seat People's National Assembly, in a contest widely viewed as a test of political engagement and reform credibility. The vote comes more than seven years after the 2019 Hirak protest movement and amid continuing debate over how much the political system has changed since then. Authorities say the election is taking place across the country under an open-list proportional representation system.

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More than 24.7 million registered voters are eligible to take part, including about 854,000 people living abroad, according to the Independent National Authority of Elections. Electoral authorities say hundreds of candidates and multiple party lists were rejected during nomination reviews, citing eligibility rules and legal compliance requirements. That has added to criticism from opposition figures and rights groups, who say tighter electoral laws have increased state oversight of political competition.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has presented the vote as part of building a "new Algeria" after the 2019 uprising. Critics, however, argue that executive power remains dominant, parliament has a limited legislative role, and opposition activity continues to face legal and political pressure. Several activists linked to the Hirak movement have faced prosecution or restrictions since 2019, including Karim Tabbou, a prominent opposition figure who has been repeatedly arrested.

The election matters because it is being watched as a measure of public confidence in institutions and of whether reforms promised after the Hirak protests have translated into broader political participation. Turnout is expected to be low, which would reinforce concerns about the gap between formal electoral processes and public trust. The result will also shape the balance between the governing National Liberation Front and its allies, and opposition parties seeking to expand their presence.

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The governing National Liberation Front held 105 of the 407 seats in the outgoing parliament, while its pro-government ally, the National Democratic Rally, remains one of the main forces in the chamber. Opposition parties including the Movement of Society for Peace are also competing, alongside nationalist, Islamist and independent lists. The election is therefore not only about seat totals, but also about whether the current political framework can accommodate meaningful competition.

What remains unclear is how high turnout will be and whether the final result will alter the current balance of power in any significant way. Officials have urged citizens to vote to reinforce institutional legitimacy, while critics continue to question the depth of reform. The outcome will be watched for signs of whether Algeria's post-Hirak political order is becoming more open or remaining tightly managed.

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