After the Rise of Popular Rejection… Why Did the Algerian Regime Resort to “Thuggery” and Revenge?

ALDAR/

At a time when the Algerian people are suffering from repression and the restrictions imposed by the regime, some might wonder: where does the support for the regime led by Abdelmadjid Tebboune come from? How can there be people in Algeria who support this regime, which seems to be facing widespread rejection at the popular level?

It is well known that Algeria is living under an “authoritarian” rule in which the regime rejects any opposition or criticism. Dissenting voices are repressed, and unjust charges are brought against anyone who dares to express their opinion freely.

Nevertheless, it seems that there is a group of people and entities who continue to support this regime, raising many questions about the nature of this support and the ways it persists.

The Algerian regime relies on a set of political mechanisms aimed at maintaining its rule, including controlled media, the repression of protest movements, and the use of the ideology of revolution and resistance as a tool to justify political power.

Many of the people who support this regime may be influenced by the national ideology promoted by the authorities, which focuses on the idea of “resistance to colonization” and the protection of national sovereignty.

In this context, the regime uses this rhetoric to secure the loyalty of a part of the population that still sees the regime as the defender of national interests.

On the other hand, we cannot ignore the role played by the economic and social privileges that the authorities offer to certain individuals and groups. Some of these people receive government support in the form of job opportunities or economic benefits, making them more loyal to the current regime. These privileges create a beneficiary class that works to reinforce the regime’s stability.

Despite the increasing protests in Algeria, the severe repression faced by the opposition drives some to remain silent or even support the regime out of fear of the consequences. These individuals may be found within the circles of power or in environments that fear harsh retaliation for any attempt to object.

The question of the source of support for the Algerian regime remains complex. There may be a very small portion of the population who feel that the stability provided by the regime for their interests is what guarantees their continuation in the face of demands for radical change. However, at the same time, it is essential to understand that this support is not a wide base but is shaped in complex political, social, and economic contexts.