Event Summary
Between 24 and 26 January 2026, the Algerian authorities presented and discussed, at a national conference in Algiers (Palais des Nations/Club des Pins), draft “technical” amendments to the 2020 Constitution and the organic law on the electoral system. The constitutional proposals made public relate in particular to: the introduction of an educational requirement for presidential candidates; clarification of the oath of office; the possibility for the President to call early local elections; adjustments concerning the High Council of the Judiciary (HCJ) (assent and composition); as well as changes affecting the functioning of parliament ordinary session and the Council of the Nation.
With regard to the electoral system, the official discourse emphasises strengthening the credibility, equality of opportunity and transparency of the electoral process. Political actors present publicly challenged the idea of a simple technical revision, arguing that some proposals affect the nature of the regime and the functioning of key institutions, and called for a broader debate. This event may, in the short term, alter the conditions of access to political competition and the institutional balance (justice/elections), with differing interpretations of its truly “technical” nature.