Algeria to hold early legislative election

Algerian President says legislative elections will be held after referendum on new constitution that is planned for November 1.

ALGIERS - Algeria will hold early legislative elections after a referendum on a new constitution planned for November 1, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said on Sunday.

Elected last December, Tebboune has pledged to carry out political and economic reforms to meet demands raised during mass protests that forced the resignation of veteran president Abdelaziz Bouteflika in April 2019.

The current parliament was elected in 2017 for five years, with Bouteflika's allies holding an overwhelming majority.

Algerians will vote in November on a new constitution that includes giving the parliament and prime minister a greater role and providing more freedoms.

"We will organise legislative elections after the referendum," Tebboune said on state television, without giving a date.

Mass demonstrations broke out in February last year against Bouteflika's plan to seek a new term in office after 20 years in power, with protesters demanding the departure of the whole ruling elite.

The government banned demonstrations in March this year as part of measures to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.