Politics of Algeria

Around 24 million Algerians are poised to head to the polls tomorrow for a vote in which experts say incumbent President Abdelmadjid Tebboune faces no real risk to his rule as he seeks a second term.

His main challenge, though, is achieving a higher turnout than in 2019, when he was declared president with 58 percent of the vote but with a record abstention rate of over 60 percent.

Italian energy giant Eni signed a memorandum of understanding on May 26 with Algeria's Sonatrach to boost gas exploration in the north African nation, as Rome seeks to reduce its reliance on Russia.

It was penned during a state visit by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to Rome, a few weeks after Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi made his own trip to Algiers.

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has been unable to receive the Saudi crown prince during his visit as planned due to acute flu, the Algerian presidency said on Nov. 3.

Algeria's parliament adopted a package of constitutional reforms on Feb. 7 that authorities say will strengthen democracy, but opponents doubt it will bring real change.