Algeria is set to vote for a new president on December 12, 2019, after nearly a year of mass demonstrations against its corrupt political system. Algerians have the option to choose one of five candidates who have been approved by Algeria’s interim president, Abdelkader Bensalah and his military backers. Millions of Algerian voters have stated that they will abstain from voting, however, claiming that the candidates belong to the old guard, the “gang”, with ties to former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s regime. Protests initially erupted when former President Bouteflika sought a fifth term in office, after nearly twenty years of rule.
Protestors want all officials associated with the old regime ousted, demanding new politicians to organize “real elections”. Viewing this election as a mere resuscitation of the old regime, millions have decided not to vote. Low turnout would damage the future president’s legitimacy and could galvanize the demonstrators to force a political upheaval. It could also prompt the military to intervene and put down the popular movement.
