Algerian opposition party to boycott legislative poll

Algerian opposition party to boycott legislative poll
The Socialist Social Front, an opposition group in Algeria, says it will boycott the legislative elections on June 12.
1 min read
The Hirak movement broke out in February 2019 [Getty]
Algeria's opposition Socialist Forces Front (FFS) on Saturday announced it will boycott early legislative elections planned for June 12.

The FFS's national council said it "reaffirms that the conditions for holding the next legislative elections of June 12 have not been met and that the elections do not constitute the solution to the multi-dimensional crisis that the country is experiencing".

"Consequently the FFS cannot participate in this election," it said in a resolution seen by AFP.

After dissolving parliament last month, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune issued a decree setting June 12 for early legislative elections.

Thousands demonstrated the following day in Algiers, rejecting the planned poll as weekly rallies by the resurgent Hirak pro-democracy movement gained momentum.

The Hirak movement broke out in February 2019 in outrage at then-president Abdelaziz Bouteflika's bid for a fifth term in office.

The ailing strongman was forced to step down weeks later, but the movement continued with demonstrations, demanding a sweeping overhaul of a ruling system in place since Algeria's independence from France in 1962.

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