In a referendum marked by turnout of just 23%, Algerians on 1 November approved a new constitution that will, on paper at least, hand more powers to parliament, limit presidents to two terms and allow the army to intervene abroad.

While the new constitution passed with 66.7%, of the 24.48 million eligible voters just 3.36 million (13.7%) cast a ballot in favor of the new constitution, which President Abdelmadjid Tebboune says will mark the beginning of a ‘New Algeria’ (MEES, 23 October). His vision is not shared by many Algerians, not least by the protest movement ‘Hirak,’ which demands a complete uproot of the ‘system.’ (CONTINUED - 176 WORDS)