ALGERIA: Islamist party leaders vote in legislative elections, likely, for the first time in Algeria's history, to make Islamist parties the biggest bloc in the national assembly

Record ID: 327764

  • Title: ALGERIA: Islamist party leaders vote in legislative elections, likely, for the first time in Algeria's history, to make Islamist parties the biggest bloc in the national assembly
  • Date: 11th May 2012
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LOCAL RESIDENT, UNNAMED, SAYING "They ask us to vote for them and they promise many things but after the vote they don't do anything for us." WOMEN IN DISTANCE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LOCAL RESIDENT, SAYING "When voting day gets closer they look for you everywhere, if you were underground, they'll find you, but right after you vote for them they forget you completely."
  • Embargoed: 26th May 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Algeria
  • Country: Algeria
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVACP849ZAXFV6U56VELCY3GCJUQ
  • Story Text: Islamist party leaders voted on Thursday (May 10) in Algeria's legislative elections, with Islamists set to dominate the 462-seat parliament as a result of the poll.
    The strongest Islamist bloc, the Green Alliance, are moderates with close ties to the establishment. Several of their leaders are already government ministers. President Abdelaziz Bouteflika could appoint one of them as the next prime minister.
    Head of the MSP Islamist party, part of the Green Alliance, Aboudjarra Soltani said Algeria's Arab Spring is happening through the ballot box.
    "This (election) is a referendum about the Algerian Spring, and Algeria's Spring - we want to create it here in Algeria, we don't want anyone to create it on our behalf. We make it happen through elections and I think elections is the only way to build the future of Algeria, the future of youth and the people," he said as he voted in his local constituency.
    The Islamists are on course to displace two secularist parties, also loyal to the establishment, that dominate the outgoing parliament.
    However, many Algerians distrust the promises of reform. The election is shaping up to be less a contest between political parties and more a tug-of-war between the authorities and a large contingent who think voting is pointless.
    Abdelmadjid Menasra, head of another islamist party (known as FC or Front for Change), said that he expected higher tunrout than 2007.
    "I expect that the rate of participation this time will exceed the rate of participation of 2007, the only difference is that the voices boycotting the elctions are louder than 2007. In 2007 boycott was quieter, without much noise, but anyway this is people's choice," he said after voting.
    He acknowledged that change after elections might not seem drastic at first but that it was the first step towards deeper change.
    "We are convinced that because for the failure of the government and the disorder that happened in the community and people's hopelessness, there won't be a drastic change through these elections but we think this it the beginning of change," he added.
    There are no exit polls, and first results are not expected until they are unveiled by the Interior Ministry on Friday.
    Many Algerians see elections as futile because real power, they say, lies with an informal network which is commonly known by the French term "le pouvoir," or "the power," and has its roots in the security forces.
    Officials deny this and say the country is run by democratically elected officials.
    "When voting day gets closer they look for you everywhere, if you were underground, they'll find you, but right after you vote for them they forget you completely," one voter said.
    "They ask us to vote for them and they promise many things but after the vote they don't do anything for us," another un-named voter said.
    Diplomats predict as few as 35 percent of those who are eligible will vote. That would be embarrassing for the authorities. They had hoped a big turnout would give them fresh legitimacy in a year when lavish celebrations are planned for the 50th anniversary of independence.
    Nevertheless, there is little appetite in Algeria for a revolt. Energy revenues have lifted living standards, and people look with alarm at the bloodshed in neighbouring Libya after its insurrection.
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