Algeria is electing a new parliament on Thursday, with incumbent President Abdelmadjid Tebboune presenting the vote as another step toward renewing the country's political institutions. However, many observers expect neither a change in power nor a fundamental shift in the political system.
Right now, something else is at the top of many Algerians' agendas: soccer. The national team has qualified for the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup.
"The elections are currently competing with other topics, especially the World Cup and the start of summer vacation," Robin Frisch, head of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation's office in Algiers, told DW. Nevertheless, he added, it is "definitely an important political event," even though there have been few large-scale campaign rallies.
Algeria's national soccer team qualified for the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup on Saturday, in a 3-3 draw against AustriaImage: Pedro Nunes/REUTERS
According to the Algerian electoral authority ANIE, around 24.7 million Algerians are eligible to vote for new National Assembly on July 2. The 407 members of the lower house will be elected for a five-year term.
