Algeria Approves Ambiguous Amendment Amid Anti-Government Anger

An important vote that will affect the lives of millions was held this week amid spiking coronavirus numbers and a stagnating economy, with each side accusing the other of foul play and mischief. No, not that one. In Algeria, a referendum put forth by the government proposing changes to the constitution was passed with nearly 70% of the vote on Monday. Yet the resounding results hardly managed to assuage the objections of opposition parties, who pointed to the 24% turnout as proof of the amendment’s illegitimacy. For weeks, the Hirak movement, which led the 2019 demonstrations that brought about the ouster of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, called to boycott the referendum, dismissing it as mere token change. Current Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, elected last December also on a record low turnout, insisted the text meets the movement’s demands and that Algeria would enter a “new era capable of fulfilling the hopes of the nation and the aspirations of our people for a strong, modern and democratic state.” Prior to voting day, Hirak members were banned from holding rallies or publicly debating the referendum.