Algeria’s leading opposition figure withdraws from presidential race citing “unfair conditions”

The race for the Algerian presidency is officially underway. President Abdelmajid Tebboune announced last week his intention to run for a second term. Over the weekend, Louisa Hanoune, leader of the Algerian Workers Party and the country's top opposition figure, announced her withdrawal, alleging the system was rigged against Tebboune's challengers.

According to Africanews, Hanoune criticized the upcoming election on her Facebook account, claiming the legal framework was designed to prevent opponents from running.

Hanoune, who previously ran for president in 2004, 2009, and 2014, was arrested in 2019 for participating in mass protests against former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. At the time, Tebboune was vice president and played a key role in cracking down on the Hirak movement, which supported pro-democracy protests.

Initially charged with "plotting against the state and the army," Hanoune was released in February 2020 and acquitted of the charges a year later.

According to the Associated Press, over 30 candidates have announced their intentions to run for the presidency, but only three have secured enough signatures to appear on the ballot: Youcef Aouchiche of the Socialist Forces Front, Algeria's largest opposition party; Abdellah Hassan Cherif of the Islamist party Movement for Society and Peace; and Sadia Naghzi of the General Confederation of Algerian Enterprises.

The New Arab reports that another party, the Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD), also announced earlier this month that it would boycott the September election for reasons similar to those cited by Hanoune.

Tebboune, 78, is widely expected to win a second term in the September 7 election, maintaining the anti-Hirak status quo.