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Algeria elects a new parliament in second vote of the Tebboune era

Algeria elects a new parliament in second vote of the Tebboune era

Rule Changes

The FLN defends its lead in a 407-seat assembly as turnout and candidate bans dominate the run-up

July 15th, 2026: Certified results expected

Overview

Algerians voted Thursday to fill all 407 seats in the National People's Assembly, the lower house of parliament. It is the second legislative vote since Abdelmadjid Tebboune became president, and the first big test of his rule since he won a second term in 2024.

Algeria pipes a large share of the natural gas that keeps European homes and factories running. Whoever controls its parliament helps set energy exports, spending, and how much room the opposition gets. The governing National Liberation Front wants to stay the biggest bloc. The bigger question is how many people showed up at all.

Why it matters

Algeria is a top gas supplier to Europe. Who runs its parliament shapes energy exports, state spending, and how much dissent the government tolerates.

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Key Indicators

24.7M
Registered voters
People eligible to choose the new assembly across 69 provinces and 8 diaspora zones.
407
Assembly seats
Members elected by open-list proportional representation for five-year terms.
23%
2021 turnout
The lowest legislative turnout since independence in 1962, the benchmark to beat.
793
Electoral lists
613 party lists from 32 parties plus 125 independent lists in the running.

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People Involved

Abdelmadjid Tebboune
Abdelmadjid Tebboune
In second term; framing the vote as proof of a 'new Algeria'
AB
Abdelkrim Benmbarek
Leading the governing party's bid to stay the largest bloc
 Karim Tabbou
Karim Tabbou
Repeatedly arrested; says political space is shrinking

Organizations Involved

National Liberation Front (FLN)
National Liberation Front (FLN)
Political party
Governing party defending its lead

The party that led Algeria's war of independence and has dominated its politics ever since.
Independent National Authority for Elections (ANIE)
Independent National Authority for Elections (ANIE)
Electoral authority
Running the vote and count

The body that organizes Algeria's elections and certifies candidate lists and results.

Timeline

April 2019 July 2026

6 events Latest: July 15th, 2026
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Certified results expected

    Latest Results

    The Constitutional Court is due to confirm final seat allocations by mid-July.

  2. Preliminary results expected

    Results

    ANIE is due to publish provisional seat counts within days of the vote.

  3. Algeria votes for a new assembly

    Today Election

    More than 24.7 million voters choose among 793 lists for 407 seats. The Socialist Forces Front returns after boycotting 2021.

  4. Tebboune re-elected

    Election

    Tebboune wins a second presidential term with an official 84.3% of the vote.

  5. FLN wins record-low-turnout vote

    Election

    The FLN takes the most seats, but turnout falls to 23%, the lowest for any legislative vote since 1962.

  6. Bouteflika resigns under Hirak pressure

    Political

    Weeks of mass protests force out President Abdelaziz Bouteflika after 20 years in power.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

December 1991 - January 1992

Algeria's cancelled election and civil war (1991-1992)

The Islamic Salvation Front swept the first round of Algeria's first free legislative vote. The army cancelled the second round, banned the party, and forced the president out. A civil war followed that killed an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 people over the decade.

Then

The military took direct control and the vote was voided.

Now

It set the template for a tightly managed political system where the army and presidency guard the limits of competition.

Why this matters now

It explains why Algeria's leaders prize controlled, predictable elections, and why critics read today's candidate bans through that history.

February - April 2019

The Hirak protests and Bouteflika's fall (2019)

Millions marched weekly against a fifth term for the ailing Abdelaziz Bouteflika. After the army withdrew support, he resigned in April 2019. The movement demanded a genuine break from the old ruling establishment.

Then

Bouteflika stepped down and Tebboune was elected that December.

Now

The government adopted new election bodies and rules, but activists say power stayed concentrated at the top.

Why this matters now

This vote is measured against Hirak's demands: did anything structural actually change, or just the faces?

June 2021

Algeria's 2021 legislative election

The first legislative vote after Hirak drew just 23% turnout, the lowest since independence. The FLN won the most seats amid a partial opposition boycott, and the result did little to settle questions about the assembly's role.

Then

The FLN led a pro-government parliament with weak public buy-in.

Now

Low turnout became the defining measure of the system's legitimacy problem.

Why this matters now

2021 is the direct benchmark. Whether 2026 beats or trails that 23% is the clearest read on public trust.

Sources

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+1
Wikipedia Xinhua Al Jazeera Atalayar Robert Lansing Institute Al Jazeera