Presidential elections were held in

Algeria Algeria, officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It is bordered to Algeria–Tunisia border, the northeast by Tunisia; to Algeria–Libya border, the east by Libya; to Alger ...

on 9 April 2009. The result was a victory for incumbent President

Abdelaziz Bouteflika Abdelaziz Bouteflika (; ; 2 March 1937 – 17 September 2021) was an Algerian politician and diplomat who served as the seventh president of Algeria from 1999 to his resignation in 2019. Before his stint as an Algerian politician, Bouteflika s ...

, who was re-elected with 90% of the vote.

Background

The Council of Ministers announced on 3 November 2008 that a planned constitutional revision would remove the two-term limit on the presidency that was previously included in Article 74, thereby enabling Bouteflika to run for a third term. The

People's National Assembly The People's National Assembly (; abbreviated APN) is the lower house of the Algerian Parliament. It is composed of 407 members directly elected by the population. Of the 407 seats, 8 are reserved for Algerians living abroad. Members of the Peo ...

endorsed the removal of the term limit on 12 November 2008, with only the

Rally for Culture and Democracy Rally or rallye may refer to: Gatherings * Political demonstration A political demonstration is an action by a mass group or collection of groups of people in favor of a political or other cause or people partaking in a protest against ...

(RCD) voting against its removal.

Candidates

Thirteen candidates submitted papers to contest the election, but only six were approved to run: *

, incumbent president and leader of the National Liberation Front. Supported by the

Democratic National Rally The Democratic National Rally (; , RND) is a political party in Algeria. The party held its Second Congress on 15–17 May 2003. History The RND was founded on 21 February 1997 in the midst of the Algerian Civil War for supporters of Liamin ...

Louisa Hanoune Louisa Hanoune (; born 7 April 1954) is the head of Workers' Party (Algeria), Algeria's Workers' Party (Parti des Travailleurs, PT). In 2004, she became the first woman to run for President of Algeria. Hanoune was imprisoned by the government sev ...

, candidate of the

Workers' Party Workers' Party is a name used by several political parties throughout the world. The name has been used by both organisations on the left and right of the political spectrum. It is currently used by followers of Marxism, Marxism–Leninism, Maoism ...

*, candidate of the Algerian National Front (FNA) *, independent candidate supported by his Party of Justice and Liberty (which was not recognised at the time of the election) *, candidate of the

Movement for National Reform The Movement for National Reform (; ) is a moderate Islamist political party in Algeria Algeria, officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It is bordered to Algeria–Tuni ...

* Ali Fawzi Rebaine, candidate of Ahd 54 Although some urged former President

Liamine Zéroual Liamine Zéroual ( ALA-LC: ''al-Yamīn Zarwāl''; Berber: Lyamin Ẓerwal; born 3 July 1941) is an Algerian politician who was the sixth President of Algeria from 30 January 1994 to 27 April 1999. Biography He was born in Batna and joined the ...

to run, he said in a published statement on 14 January 2009 that he would not, while also suggesting that it was not in the best interests of democracy for Bouteflika to run for a third term. RCD President Saïd Sadi announced on 15 January 2009 that the RCD would not participate in the elections, which he described as a "pathetic and dangerous circus", saying that to participate "would be tantamount to complicity in an operation of national humiliation". Bouteflika announced his independent candidacy for a third term at a rally in Algiers on 12 February, and officially submitted his candidacy on 23 February, shortly before the deadline.

Results

The official turnout of 75% was disputed by the opposition, with some claiming it was as low as 16%.

References

{{Algerian elections

Presidential election A presidential election is the election of any head of state whose official title is President. Elections by country Albania The president of Albania is elected by the Assembly of Albania who are elected by the Albanian public. Chile The p ...

Presidential elections in Algeria