(Bloomberg) -- Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune easily won a second term at the helm of the OPEC nation, in an election critics said was held earlier than expected to sideline any serious challengers.
Tebboune, who’s seen as close to Algeria’s powerful military, secured 94.7% of ballots in the Sept. 7 contest against two other candidates, according to initial figures from the election commission on Sunday evening. They’d earlier put turnout at 48%.
With the outcome in little doubt, strong participation was seen as key to maintaining a sense of legitimacy for the 78-year-old leader, who came to power in 2019 against the backdrop of mass youth-driven protests that forced his veteran predecessor Abdelaziz Bouteflika to resign. About 40% cast ballots in that year’s chaotic election, which Tebboune won with 58% of votes.
All three candidates in this weekend’s vote subsequently questioned the commission’s results. In an unusual joint statement reported by Algerian news website Ennahar Online, they described “vagueness” and “contradictions” in the participation figures and said the announcement “lacked the most basic information” routinely released after other ballots.
The oil and gas-rich North African country has wielded growing international clout in recent years, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine made it a key alternative supplier for Europe. Tebboune’s victory may allow him to press on with reforms that include opening the protectionist economy to more foreign investment and easing its reliance on energy receipts.
Algeria is home to Africa’s second-largest gas reserves, and authorities have used a windfall that started in 2022 to expand a costly social safety net that’s crucial in a country where almost two-thirds of the 47 million population are under 30.
That drive could be jeopardized by a sustained fall in prices. Oil last week posted its biggest weekly drop in 11 months, potentially creating budget pressures. Algeria pumped about 890,000 barrels per day in August, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
The election was initially scheduled for December, but was brought forward for what authorities said were technical reasons. The results are due to be finalized later this month after any legal appeals.
(Updates with candidates’ statement on results in fourth paragraph.)
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