Roundup: Algerian political parties focused on 2017 elections

Local and legislative elections are nearing in Algeria, as political parties are fully focused on this major challenge.

The two ruling parties of the National Liberation Front and the National Democratic Rally have been the first to announce their participation, hoping to safeguard their majority during the local and legislative elections scheduled for May and November 2017.

The opposition parties, including the Islamist Movement of Society for Peace (MSP) or the leftist parties such as the Socialist Forces Front and the Workers Party have not yet decided whether to participate in the next electoral contest.

Meanwhile, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika proposed to name Abdelouahab Derbal, an Islamist politician, to head the Independent Higher Commission for Election Monitoring.

The ruling parties welcomed "the principle of consultation initiated by President Bouteflika," saying this "unprecedented practice reflects the regime's good intention to strengthen democracy."

However, the opposition parties remain skeptical and reserved.

President of MSP, Abderezak Makri, wrote on his Facebook official page that he is not against the nomination of Derbal, who is a respectable personality, but "we believe that it will remain be a manipulated body in the hands of the regime."

Opposition parties in Algeria are still pledging for fair and free elections.

According to Algerian observers, the new provisions contained in the new election law, would leave no choice to the political parties but to participate in the 2017 elections.

In fact, political parties wishing to participate in the post-2017 elections will be asked to provide evidence that they grabbed four percent of votes in the previous election contest.

Therefore, in case of boycott, the party in question will be eliminated from forthcoming elections, something that would threaten its existence. Endit