Algeria Elects First Woman to Lead People’s National Assembly as Boufedeche Pledges Inclusive Leadership and Parliamentary Reform
Physician and National Liberation Front (FLN) lawmaker Khalida Boufedeche has been elected Speaker of Algeria’s People’s National Assembly (APN), becoming the first woman in the country’s history to head the lower house of Parliament.
By Dr. Hana Saada
ALGIERS, Algeria — Algeria has reached a historic parliamentary milestone with the election of Khalida Boufedeche as President of the People’s National Assembly (APN), making her the first woman to lead the lower house of Parliament since the country’s independence in 1962.
Boufedeche, a physician by profession and a lawmaker representing the National Liberation Front (FLN) for the Algiers constituency, was elected by members of the newly inaugurated 10th legislature during a secret ballot held on Tuesday.
Her election reflects broad parliamentary backing from parties supporting the political program of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and marks a significant advance in women’s representation within Algeria’s highest state institutions.
According to the official vote count, Boufedeche secured 302 votes, comfortably defeating her two challengers. Amine Allouche, representing the Movement of Society for Peace (MSP), received 57 votes, while Rachid Hassani of the Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) obtained seven votes. Twenty-five ballots were declared invalid.
The parliamentary session followed the formal validation of deputies’ mandates before lawmakers proceeded to elect the new Speaker in accordance with parliamentary procedures.
Broad parliamentary backing
Prior to the vote, six parliamentary groups—including the National Liberation Front (FLN), the National Democratic Rally (RND), the El Moustakbal Front, the El Binaa Movement, the bloc of Independent Deputies, and the Sawt Echaab (People’s Voice) Party—jointly announced their endorsement of Boufedeche during a press conference held at Parliament.
They were subsequently joined by representatives of the El Karama Party, the New Algeria Front, and Tajamou Amal El Djazaïr (TAJ).
Supporting parties argued that Algeria’s current stage of institutional development requires experienced leadership capable of accompanying the country’s reform agenda while strengthening Parliament’s constitutional role.
Following the presentation of the three candidates, lawmakers temporarily suspended the session to prepare the voting process, including the installation of transparent ballot boxes and verification of voting procedures. Deputies then cast their ballots under the supervision of the provisional bureau and representatives of the parliamentary groups.
Boufedeche pledges to represent all deputies
In her first address after assuming office, Boufedeche described her election as both a national mandate and a constitutional responsibility, pledging to serve as “the representative of all deputies” without exception.
She called on lawmakers to work collectively in a spirit of dialogue, mutual respect and partnership, stressing that the supreme interests of the nation must prevail over all other considerations. She also commended the work of the provisional bureau and congratulated newly elected deputies on earning the confidence of the Algerian people.
Highlighting the historic nature of her election, Boufedeche said her appointment reflects the profound transformations taking place in Algeria and demonstrates the political will to promote the participation of competent Algerians at all levels of public life.
She described the confidence placed in her as a tribute to Algerian women, saying it forms part of a broader national project aimed at building a strong, modern and democratic Algeria founded on merit and competence.
The new Speaker affirmed her commitment to fostering a culture of consultation and institutional partnership, describing the People’s National Assembly as the country’s principal forum for democratic debate, legislation, oversight and evaluation of public policies.
She pledged to work toward strengthening parliamentary performance and improving the quality of legislation in line with Algeria’s economic, social and political development objectives.
On the institutional front, Boufedeche announced her intention to reinforce cooperation and coordination with the Council of the Nation and the government while fully respecting the constitutional separation of powers.
She also paid tribute to President Abdelmadjid Tebboune for leading the reform process of the “New Algeria,” while expressing appreciation for the People’s National Army (ANP), the security services and national institutions.
Recalling the sacrifices of Algeria’s martyrs and veterans of the War of Independence, she further praised the efforts deployed by public institutions, the ANP, Civil Protection units, local authorities, volunteers and citizens in combating the devastating wildfires that recently affected several regions of the country. Speaking on behalf of Parliament, she extended her condolences to the families of the victims.
Lawmakers hail a historic breakthrough
Boufedeche’s election was widely welcomed by deputies from across the political spectrum, many describing the outcome as a landmark moment for Algeria’s democratic institutions and for women’s political representation.
Fatma Zahra Bensafi, a deputy from the National Democratic Rally (RND), described the election of a woman to the presidency of the People’s National Assembly as a strategic achievement. Stressing the responsibilities awaiting the new legislature, she highlighted legislation, oversight of government action and parliamentary diplomacy as key priorities in addressing regional and national challenges.
For FLN deputy Abdelkrim Chemam, the election represents the successful first milestone of the tenth legislature. He emphasized that Parliament bears a dual responsibility: adopting legislation that supports public policy while faithfully conveying citizens’ concerns. He argued that entrusting the Assembly’s leadership to a woman embodies the principles of Algeria’s institutional renewal and restores women’s rightful place in public life, particularly given that only 25 women currently serve in the new legislature.
Deputy Moulati Atallah welcomed the diversity of the new Assembly, pointing to the presence of experienced parliamentarians alongside young university graduates and representatives from various professional and social backgrounds. He said the broad composition of the chamber would strengthen Parliament’s capacity to accompany major economic reforms and national development projects.
Meanwhile, Boudina, representing the Front of Free Citizens, praised the significant presence of young lawmakers, describing it as an important asset for addressing youth concerns. He also expressed hope that women’s representation within Parliament would continue to grow in future legislatures to achieve greater institutional balance.
For Meriem Chehih, another deputy from the National Democratic Rally, Boufedeche’s election constitutes a major institutional gain that reflects President Tebboune’s vision of expanding women’s participation across all sectors of national life—from aviation and engineering to agriculture and civil society. She argued that women’s access to senior positions is increasingly determined by competence and professional merit.
A career spanning medicine and public service
Boufedeche holds a doctorate in medicine from the University of Algiers and specializes in allergology and clinical immunology.
She currently serves as a physician at Beni Messous University Hospital and, since 2023, has headed the Department of Health Structures and Health Professions within the Algiers Directorate of Health and Population.
A member of the National Liberation Front for more than two decades, she serves on the party’s Central Committee and has been active in the FLN’s Dar El Beida federation, where she has overseen women’s affairs.
Her political career began at the local level as a member of the Bordj El Bahri Municipal People’s Assembly between 2012 and 2017. She later served in the Algiers Provincial People’s Assembly from 2021 to 2026 before being elected to the People’s National Assembly in the 2026 legislative elections.
Her appointment as Speaker marks a historic chapter in Algeria’s parliamentary history and signals an unprecedented advancement in women’s representation at the highest levels of the country’s legislative leadership, while setting the tone for a legislature expected to focus on institutional reform, legislative modernization, stronger parliamentary oversight, and broader national consensus-building.
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