Algeria’s presidential election has closed with incumbent Abdelmadjid Tebboune expected to win a second term. The voting saw a turnout of 26 percent nationwide, with preliminary results expected to be announced on Saturday night. Tebboune faced competition from moderate conservative Abdeali Hassani Cherif and socialist candidate Youcef Aouchiche, with all three candidates focusing on promises to improve living standards and reduce dependence on hydrocarbons.
Despite the low campaign enthusiasm due to the summer heat, all candidates aimed to court the youth vote as they make up more than half of the population. Tebboune highlighted economic successes during his first term, while his challengers vowed to grant more freedoms to the people. The opposition in Algeria is described as nearly non-existent, with experts predicting a victory for Tebboune in the first round of the election.
Economists believe that changes in laws and the government’s efforts to tackle corruption are improving investor confidence in Algeria. The country’s economy is seen as dependent on breaking the ties between corruption, money, and politics to create a new economic outlook. With a future of promise and change ahead, the official election results are eagerly awaited as the nation looks towards its next phase of growth and development.
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