Interior Minister, Local Authorities, and Transport Minister Saïd Sayoud presented the organic law on political parties to the Council of the Nation this Sunday. Previously approved by the National People’s Assembly (APN), the bill draws from the 2020 Constitution to update party operations, boost transparency, and elevate political standards.
Addressing the specialized Council commission on legal, administrative, and human rights affairs, local organization, territorial planning, and zoning, Sayoud described the legislation as “a cornerstone for structuring political life and empowering parties to fulfill their constitutional duties.” He linked it to President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s reform drive, noting the president’s focus on “rebuilding political practice on firm constitutional and institutional foundations” to transform parties into “dynamic forces that build credible institutions and uphold the rule of law.”
Sayoud argued this would place parties in “a more structured and effective legal environment,” equipping them to lead political discourse, guide citizens, train leaders, and rally society around national priorities. He emphasized restoring public trust, stating the bill “will enhance the credibility of party activities and solidify democratic processes nationwide.”
Key Provisions
The 97-article measure, spread across seven chapters, aligns existing rules with the 2020 Constitution’s political rights and freedoms. It promotes internal party democracy, ethical conduct, and streamlined operations, including a new digital platform at the Interior Ministry for handling party registrations and organizational changes. This system aims to “streamline procedures, cut processing times, and increase transparency in party management.”
Modernization and Accountability
To combat party-switching, elected officials who change affiliations mid-term will lose their seats automatically. The law encourages youth and women in leadership and local structures, mandating at least 10% representation for each among founders. Financially, it bans foreign funding, requires declaring all donations, mandates annual reports, and tightens oversight.
Sayoud outlined the bill’s development: inter-ministerial reviews, consultations with licensed parties via the Presidency, and three weeks of hearings with 23 parties by the APN’s legal commission—leading to unanimous adoption. He concluded that the reform lays “the legal groundwork for a revitalized party system rooted in accountability, openness, and internal democracy,” enabling parties to guide society and strengthen Algeria’s democratic framework.