Algeria announces early legislative elections

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said on Sunday that Algeria will hold early legislative elections following a referendum on a new constitution on November 1.

Tebboune, who was elected to the post in December, has pledged to implement political and economic reforms in response to the demands of the massive protests that forced former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to resign in April 2019.

The current parliament was elected in 2017 for a five-year term, and Bouteflika's allies hold an overwhelming majority.

Algerians vote in November on a new constitution that includes giving Parliament and the prime minister a greater role and providing more freedoms.

"We will hold legislative elections after the referendum," Tebboune said on state television, without specifying a date.

Mass protests erupted in February of last year against Bouteflika's bid for a new term in office after 20 years in power, with protesters calling for the departure of the entire ruling elite.

The government banned the demonstrations last March as part of measures to limit the spread of the Corona virus.

Follow our latest local and sports news, and the latest political and economic developments via Google news