Algerians fear their election will be a blow to democracy

THE MOST popular candidate in Algeria’s presidential election might be a rubbish bag. On December 12th Algerians will choose a successor to Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who stepped down in April after 20 years of dictatorial rule. Or, rather, a small minority of Algeria’s 41m people will choose one. Much of the country seems unenthused by the vote. In the capital, Algiers, protesters hang rubbish bags over campaign posters or replace them with pictures of jailed activists. One candidate’s headquarters was pelted with eggs and tomatoes. Another was forced to cancel his first campaign rally because almost no one turned up.To hear the government tell it, the election is an important step towards democracy. It will probably be the most tightly contested presidential vote since 1995. Yet for the millions of Algerians who demanded the ousting of Mr Bouteflika—and who continue to protest—it is nothing to celebrate. Instead the election demonstrates the difficulty of removing the structures that sustained the strongman.