Algeria’s FLN Party Leading in Legislative Elections

Algeria’s FLN party leading in legislative elections

ALGIERS, May 18 (Xinhua) — The National Liberation Front (FLN) party led by Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem, won 136 parliamentary seats, in the National Popular Assembly (APN), Algeria’s lower house of parliament, according to the preliminary results of the legislative elections announced Friday by Algerian interior and local government minister Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni.

Nevertheless, the former single party lost 63 seats compared to its performance in the last legislative elections in 2002, and thus lost its majority in the 389-seat APN.

The National Rally for Democracy (RND) led by former prime minister Ahmed Ouyahia, was holding the second position in the polls, with 61 seats, followed by the Movement of Society for peace (MSP), a moderate Islamic party with 52 seats.

In addition, 33 independent candidates succeeded in their bid to be elected members of parliament.

Commenting on the irregularities which were reported during the elections, Zerhouni said they would not affect the final outcome of the polls, at the same time acknowledging the low rate of participation in this year’s elections, which only stood at about 35.65 of all the registered voters.

The Algerian legislative elections were held peacefully, with 12,229 candidates representing 24 political parties as well as independent candidates taking part.

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