The Principle of Rotation of Power in the Algerian Political System: A Reading into the Legality of the Legislative Elections 1991

Abstract

The history of political parties in Algeria cannot be written as a simple extension of contemporary Algerian political thought. The  experience of engaging in electoral competition only began in 1989, with the approval of the first legal constitution that allowed political associations to freely compete with one another. However, this experience was shaped by the demands, conditions, and needs of the ruling authority. The democratic shortfall in Algeria stems from the fact that the political scene was not built on a cultural foundation necessary for effective public participation. Instead, political pluralism was treated as a peripheral matter while real power remained   concentrated at the center.