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Algeria Poised to Appoint First Woman as Parliament Speaker
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Elections & Politics

Algeria Poised to Appoint First Woman as Parliament Speaker

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Algeria is set to appoint Khalida Boufedech as the first woman to lead parliament's lower house, nominated by the ruling National Liberation Front.
  • If elected, Boufedech will hold the country's fourth-highest office, with the governing coalition endorsing her after presidential approval.
  • President Tebboune downplayed low voter turnout and addressed concerns about 'dirty money' in politics, vowing to separate wealth from political influence.

Algeria is poised to make history with the nomination of Khalida Boufedech as the first woman to head the lower house of parliament. A member of the ruling National Liberation Front (FLN), Boufedech secured the endorsement of the governing coalition after receiving approval from the presidency. Her election would mark a significant milestone, as she would also become the first woman to hold the state protocol's fourth-highest office.

The FLN parliamentary bloc cited Boufedech's "competence and leadership experience" as reasons for her nomination, stating it would bolster the legislature's role in supporting stability and the nation's reform agenda. They expressed confidence in her ability to foster consensus and enhance the chamber's legislative, oversight, and diplomatic functions, urging cross-party support for her candidacy.

Whether turnout is 20 percent, 21 percent, or even 70 percent, it will not undermine the credibility of the legislative institution. Parliament remains the constitutional body responsible for legislation.

— President Abdelmadjid TebbounePresident Tebboune downplayed the record-low voter turnout in the recent parliamentary election.

Meanwhile, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune addressed the nation's low voter turnout of 21.24 percent in the recent parliamentary election. He asserted that participation rates do not diminish the legitimacy of parliament, stating, "Whether turnout is 20 percent, 21 percent, or even 70 percent, it will not undermine the credibility of the legislative institution." Tebboune also commented on the exclusion of candidates accused of illicit enrichment, emphasizing the need to keep politics separate from wealth to prevent oligarchic control. He warned that parliamentary immunity would no longer shield lawmakers from prosecution for wrongdoing. The president further lauded the increasing number of young university graduates entering politics, highlighting their contributions to agriculture, innovation, and public life. On foreign policy, Tebboune denied reports of Algeria demanding visa quotas from France or seeking an official apology for colonial rule, stating firmly, "Algeria will not beg anyone."

Algeria will not beg anyone.

— President Abdelmadjid TebbounePresident Tebboune denied that Algeria had demanded visa quotas from France or sought an official apology and reparations for colonial rule.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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