BY: Dr. Hana Saada
ALGIERS – The announcement last Thursday of an early presidential election set for September 7, 2024, has stirred up the political parties.
The decision made by the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, has had the impact of a bomb in a relatively quiet political landscape, which had the originally scheduled major electoral event in December 2024 in sight. Indeed, reactions from political parties have been pouring in since last Thursday. The political class is now focused on the upcoming presidential election, the date of which is now known to all.
Continuation of Political Party Reactions
The FLN party, which holds a majority in parliament, held an “urgent” extraordinary session of its central committee yesterday to address the question of holding this early presidential election. In a statement issued after the meeting, the veteran party expressed its “relief” following the announcement of the early presidential election in September. The FLN also indicated that it welcomed President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s decision, considering it “sovereign” and reflective of “continuing commitment to respecting electoral deadlines.”
The Front El Moustakbal welcomed this decision, which “demonstrates a constant commitment to the constitutional process and the maintenance of electoral appointments, which are now a national conviction entrenched within the Republic’s institutions.” Meanwhile, the Talaie El Houriyet party considered Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s decision to be within his “constitutional prerogatives.” The Islamist Ennahda movement stated that it respects the decision of the President of the Republic.
The National Accord Movement believed that organizing an anticipated presidential election “indicates the political will for a return to the normal and traditional situation of the presidential deadline.”
A Decision That Defies All Predictions
Furthermore, the President of the Republic, by his decision to organize an early presidential election in September instead of maintaining it at its original deadline in December, thus shortening his mandate by three months, has taken everyone by surprise. None of the observers in Algeria or abroad, including proponents of predictions, had put forward such a possibility. On the contrary, a postponement of the presidential election, if not an extension of the current mandate, was most often mentioned in the analyses, especially on social media.
In the end, the predictors got it all wrong. Not only will the presidential election not be postponed, as several “analysts” liked to repeat, but it will take place well before its original deadline. The “reliable sources,” which until then had assured these analysts of the plausibility of the thesis of postponing the presidential election, had not anticipated the decision made by the President last Thursday. This shows that these sources, if they exist, were not as “reliable” as they claimed, since the opposite of what they predicted ultimately occurred.
It is true that it was difficult to imagine such an announcement. The international press extensively commented on the announcement of the early presidential election in Algeria. While Le Figaro simply provided the information without commenting on it, Le Monde, on the other hand, mentioned “surprise” and “perplexity.” Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who has decided to shorten his presidential mandate by three months to restore the electoral calendar to its normal order, has not yet announced his participation in the upcoming presidential election. The constitution adopted in 2020 allows him to run for a second term as head of the country.
Translated from:
About Dzair Tube Media Group
Dzair Tube has firmly established itself as a prominent player among Algerian digital news sites, offering a diverse and enriching content experience. The platform, available in Arabic, French, and English editions, captures the attention of a wide-ranging audience, amassing over half a million daily clicks.
A testament to its commitment to excellence, Dzair Tube received the prestigious President of the Republic’s Award for Professional Journalist in the Electronic Press category on October 22, 2022. This recognition underscores the platform’s unwavering dedication to upholding the highest standards of journalism.
With a significant online presence, Dzair Tube boasts 350,000 subscribers on YouTube, over five million followers on various Facebook pages, and 450,000 subscribers on Instagram. Its digital channel has become a hub for diverse programming, covering news, sports, entertainment, culture, and religion, catering to a broad spectrum of audience preferences.
Equipped with state-of-the-art studios and advanced technology, Dzair Tube’s digital channel has garnered substantial viewership for its varied programs. Hosting interactive discussions with influential figures across different domains, the platform actively fosters public discourse and engagement. Beyond news coverage, Dzair Tube extends its commitment to the production of marketing documentaries, short TV commercials, and high-viewership programs.
The success of the print edition of Dzair Tube’s sports newspaper, “Dzair Sport,” further highlights the platform’s impact, with over 50,000 daily downloads from the official Dzair Tube website.
Recently honored with the Media Leadership Award from the Minister of Communication, Mohamed Laâgab, Dzair Tube continues to shape the landscape of Algerian digital news, maintaining a position of influence and impact in the media industry.
