“Algeria. For radical change and a better life, there is only one thing to do: vote for Ait Mokhtar Omar. For a clean break, for democracy and for a new horizon.” This is the text message an independent candidate, a relative newcomer on the Algerian political scene, sends to potential voters. Though the method sounds efficient, it has not encouraged many Algerians living in France to vote.

 

 

The offices of the Algerian consulate in Jaures (19th district of Paris) are uncannily empty. A few aged immigrants shuffle up to the wooden ballot box to cast their vote, under the supervision of the candidates’ representatives, more numerous than the voters. The lack of enthusiasm here is patent, but why?

  

For Omar Ait Mokhtar, an independent candidate backed by a small party “AHD 54”, voters snub polling stations for other reasons. “People are disappointed with politics. They see little change since the 1999 elections. When I was campaigning in markets and in concert halls, everybody told him they were tired of seeing the same faces, always the National Liberation Front (FLN). People are disillusioned and don’t trust politicians anymore.”

 

 

Nevertheless Omar Ait Mokhtar admits the organisation of the elections was impeccable and that the administration of the consulate put in a lot of effort. “During previous elections, the authorities were either pro-FLN or pro-RND (Democratic National Rally), this time the process is transparent and neutral. Candidate representatives were allowed to supervise the vote. Political diversity is respected at last.”

 

Indifferent to the legitimacy of the elections, Nadjib, a 28-year-old youth, did not cast his ballot. He believes his vote won’t change anything. “My father has been voting for years. But never once has he said things would get better. He automatically votes for the same party.”

 

Like most aged immigrants who fear that they will be blocked in airports or in Algerian ports, Nadjib, a waiter in Paris, worries more about the French parliamentary elections than about Algerian elections. “This is where I live and this is where I want members of parliament to act on my behalf. There is no point in having Algerian members of parliament responsible for immigration issues. These will only increase the budget of the state.”

 

This is not the point of view of an RCD candidate. Admitting that the turnout for the elections is low, he maintains that members of parliament responsible for immigration issues are useful. “There are so many administrative, judicial problems. Somebody needs to solve them.”

 

But an FLN supporter maintains that his party has been renewed and is closer to the concerns of his fellow citizens. It will now be able to attract more support in Algeria and abroad. “Algerians see that the others parties do not have the means or the status to change the situation. That’s why voters will choose the FLN.” He also adds “the FLN has changed. It is no longer a party of bigwigs and elderly men. Today, a lot of young professionals have joined because they love their country not because they want to obtain better employment.”