This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-39773471
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Algeria election - what you need to know | Algeria election - what you need to know |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Algerian voters go to the polls on 4 May to elect a new parliament amid uncertainty over the health of the country's ailing president, dwindling oil revenues, and instability on the borders with neighbouring countries. | Algerian voters go to the polls on 4 May to elect a new parliament amid uncertainty over the health of the country's ailing president, dwindling oil revenues, and instability on the borders with neighbouring countries. |
What is at stake? | What is at stake? |
Ruling officials have been campaigning on one key slogan: Stability. | Ruling officials have been campaigning on one key slogan: Stability. |
But delivering on this promise will be a tall order for a number of reasons. | But delivering on this promise will be a tall order for a number of reasons. |
In a political system which remains essentially presidential in nature, the poor health of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is a major concern. | In a political system which remains essentially presidential in nature, the poor health of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is a major concern. |
While his rule has been criticised for corruption and a lack of political freedom, he has overseen a period of relative stability and prosperity following a decade-long civil war in the 1990s. | While his rule has been criticised for corruption and a lack of political freedom, he has overseen a period of relative stability and prosperity following a decade-long civil war in the 1990s. |
But economic difficulties caused by falling oil prices have seen austerity imposed on the country. | But economic difficulties caused by falling oil prices have seen austerity imposed on the country. |
Sectors such as construction have been hard-hit, with government infrastructure projects put on hold and imports of building materials restricted. | Sectors such as construction have been hard-hit, with government infrastructure projects put on hold and imports of building materials restricted. |
The country could be driven to cut its large military spending because of austerity measures. This comes at a time of increased security threats posed by instability and jihadist militants in neighbouring Niger and Libya, and a tense stand-off with Morocco over the status of Western Sahara. | |
How is parliament structured? | How is parliament structured? |
Algerian MPs are elected by direct universal suffrage for a five-year term in the 462-seat lower house. | Algerian MPs are elected by direct universal suffrage for a five-year term in the 462-seat lower house. |
Seats are allocated proportionally according to the number of votes obtained by party lists. Eight seats are reserved for Algerian expatriate communities in four overseas districts. | Seats are allocated proportionally according to the number of votes obtained by party lists. Eight seats are reserved for Algerian expatriate communities in four overseas districts. |
More than 23m people are eligible to vote for 11,334 candidates from 50 different political parties, as well as a handful of independents. | More than 23m people are eligible to vote for 11,334 candidates from 50 different political parties, as well as a handful of independents. |
The role of parliament has been gradually expanding since changes to constitutional law were introduced in 1989. Following a constitutional amendment introduced last year, parliament will for the first time be consulted before a new prime minister is named by the president. | The role of parliament has been gradually expanding since changes to constitutional law were introduced in 1989. Following a constitutional amendment introduced last year, parliament will for the first time be consulted before a new prime minister is named by the president. |
However, it cannot withdraw confidence from the nominee. | However, it cannot withdraw confidence from the nominee. |
Who are the dominant parties? | Who are the dominant parties? |
The National Liberation Front (FLN) is Algeria's long-time ruling party, and draws its legitimacy from its key role in the war of independence against the French. | The National Liberation Front (FLN) is Algeria's long-time ruling party, and draws its legitimacy from its key role in the war of independence against the French. |
Leader Djamel Ould Abbes claims to be a war hero, but some war veterans have disputed his past as a revolutionary. | Leader Djamel Ould Abbes claims to be a war hero, but some war veterans have disputed his past as a revolutionary. |
In the last parliament, the FLN formed a ruling coalition with the National Democratic Rally (RND), and commanded a large majority. The two parties are almost assured of taking a large number of seats in the next parliament. | In the last parliament, the FLN formed a ruling coalition with the National Democratic Rally (RND), and commanded a large majority. The two parties are almost assured of taking a large number of seats in the next parliament. |
What are the opposition's chances? | What are the opposition's chances? |
Indications in recent months suggest that the authorities are seeking to coax more parties into the coalition to shore up the ruling majority in troubled times. | Indications in recent months suggest that the authorities are seeking to coax more parties into the coalition to shore up the ruling majority in troubled times. |
The current opposition, comprising a mixture of reformist insiders, Islamists, and left-wing parties, is set to change. | The current opposition, comprising a mixture of reformist insiders, Islamists, and left-wing parties, is set to change. |
A recent ruling which allows parties to form electoral alliances may provide a path for Islamists to re-establish themselves as a potent force in parliament. | A recent ruling which allows parties to form electoral alliances may provide a path for Islamists to re-establish themselves as a potent force in parliament. |
The authorities have ordered imams to call on worshippers to take part in the polls in order to boost turnout. | The authorities have ordered imams to call on worshippers to take part in the polls in order to boost turnout. |
The non-Islamist opposition has only a slim chance of success. | The non-Islamist opposition has only a slim chance of success. |
BBC Monitoring reports and analyses news from TV, radio, web and print media around the world. You can follow BBC Monitoring on Twitter and Facebook. | BBC Monitoring reports and analyses news from TV, radio, web and print media around the world. You can follow BBC Monitoring on Twitter and Facebook. |
Previous version
1
Next version