Algeria Islamists may boost influence at May election

Significance

Since the elections of 1991, which led to a decade of civil war, parliamentary polls have generally taken place in a tense atmosphere, with protests, riots and boycotts. As the health of 80-year-old President Abdelaziz Bouteflika remains precarious, the regime seeks to demonstrate stability and security to the population and the international community by conducting the elections as smoothly as possible.

Impacts

• Secular opposition parties are fragmented and unable to ally or challenge the governing FLN and RND.
• Islamist parties are likely to increase their presence in parliament but are unlikely to receive more than one-third of the 462 seats.
• Islamic values may play a more important role in educational, social and judiciary matters (eg, family rights).