Algeria's 1991 elections

In 1991, Algeria held its first multi-party elections to choose a new government, ending decades of single-party rule. The Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) was the leading opposition party and was expected to win support among many Algerians seeking change. However, the military and ruling authorities feared an Islamic government and intervened after FIS's electoral gains. They canceled the elections, halted the democratic process, and contributed to escalating political unrest, eventually triggering a brutal civil war. The 1991 elections marked a pivotal moment, highlighting tensions between democratic aspirations and authoritarian control in Algeria's political history.