Algeria’s newly established Nida El-Watan political bloc will be taking part in the North African country’s upcoming parliamentary elections, which are slotted for next June.
The bloc will try to secure a majority to support President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in parliament.
Nazih Berramdane, who is a presidential advisor on matters linked to civil society associations, called on activists to strongly stand behind the new party in the coming vote.
Berramdane’s call for support was made at the inaugural event of Nida El-Watan’s election campaign on Sunday.
The advisor, however, failed to mention the party’s main goal of forming a parliamentary majority to back Tebboune post elections.
Last month, Tebboune called for the dissolution of the lower house of parliament and early legislative elections.
Hundreds of professional associations and unions joined Nida El-Watan and announced their support for the president's program under the slogan: “Building a New Algeria.”
Berramdane, speaking to the country’s official radio station, defended Nida El-Watan’s impartiality and integrity by pointing out that it is being led by honest people.
“There are those who are working to destroy all ties to prevent real change, and they are attacking every initiative,” he said.
Other political parties that support Tebboune said they were skeptical about Nida El-Watan.
Pro-Tebboune politicians, who requested anonymity, expressed concern towards Nida El-Watan providing the president with support from associations that are not normally involved in politics.
Mohammed Hanad, a political sciences professor, warned that civil societies may be getting exploited by Nida El-Watan’s agenda.
“Those in power are still treating Algeria’s civil societies as clients, forgetting that they are characterized by the distance they keep from government,” said Hanad.
