Eurovision News Events

Algiers, Algeria - May 10, 2012

Algeria will hold legislative elections for the People’s National Assembly (lower house of parliament) on Thursday 10 May 2012.

The importance of these elections was underlined by most of the political parties, considering them as a test for the political reforms in Algeria. President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said in a message delivered to the nation last February that “the next general elections should be a simple cyclical event, but a cornerstone for the democracy building process that was initiated” and that “ the issue of the Constitution will be decide in light of the results of the process”.

More than 40 political parties will compete for 389 seats but the main contest is expected to be between two government linked political parties , the FLN and RND and the alliance of three Islamist parties.

Oil and gas exporter Algeria is the only country in North Africa whose political system has remained essentially unchanged after the turmoil of last year when long-standing rulers were unseated in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. In this context it is worth recalling that Algeria has recently conducted a series of reforms which the U.S and European countries support.

The Algerian government has pledged free and fair elections and allowed in some 500 international observers to monitor the polls.

The official slogan of the election, currently airing in TV commercials on state television, is "Algeria is our spring."

Eurovision Special Events, in cooperation with TDA, will establish production and transmission facilities at the Centre International de Presse (CIP) - Hotel El Aurassi in Algiers, including:

Standup positions for Live programme inserts
Playout (multi-format)
Connectivity to the Eurovision Global Network

The feedpoint is expected to be operational from May 8th.

For bookings and additional info, contact Eurovision Special Events:
t +41 22 717 2840
e bookings@eurovision.net