After fierce Arab competition, Algeria wins the presidency of the African Parliament. 

Written by Mohamed Salem

The elections for the presidency of the African Parliament, which took place in the city of Midrand in South Africa, witnessed fierce competition between 4 Arab countries that represent a weight in the north of the African continent.

The elections ended with the victory of the Algerian candidate, Fatih Boutabik, a member of the Algerian National Assembly representing the presidential third, in the presidency of the African Parliament.

Algeria's representative wins the presidency of the African Parliament

Boutabik was elected as the new President of the Pan-African Parliament for the 2026-2029 legislative term, during the extraordinary session of the Pan-African Parliament held in Midrand, South Africa, after obtaining a majority of votes with 119 votes out of 152.

In a speech following his election as the new President of the Pan-African Parliament for the 2026-2029 legislative term, during the proceedings of the extraordinary session of the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand, South Africa, Boutabik said that his victory was “a victory for a unified African will,” pledging to work to “strengthen the role of the Pan-African Parliament, amplify its voice, and bring it closer to the citizens.”.

In this regard, he pointed out that “it is not possible to talk about a strong Africa without stopping at North Africa, this civilizational and strategic bridge that connects the continent to its Mediterranean and global depth,” highlighting that “North African countries, foremost among them Algeria, possess the capabilities and resources that make them a real engine for continental integration, whether in the field of energy, security or diplomacy.”.

Boutabik also pointed out that Algeria, under the leadership of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune,، It continues to play a pivotal role in supporting African causes, promoting peace, pushing for economic integration, and upholding the approach of African solutions to African problems,” noting that “this role is not circumstantial, but rather an extension of a long history of struggle and unwavering commitment to the causes of liberation and unity.”.

The city of Midrand in South Africa hosted an extraordinary session between April 28 and 30, 2026, to elect a new president and bureau to lead the African Parliament for the next three years, in an election that reflects the delicate balances within the African Union, with the presidency moving to the North African region according to the principle of rotation among the five regions of the continent.

Arab competition for the presidency of the African Parliament

The competition was limited to 4 names representing the political weight of the region: Engineer Sherif El-Gebaly from Egypt, head of the African Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives and a prominent figure in economic cooperation files; Fateh Boutoubik from Algeria, one of the active figures within the African Parliament; Lahcen Haddad from Morocco, the former minister who held the tourism portfolio between 2013 and 2016 before continuing his presence in parliamentary and diplomatic work; and Youssef Al-Fakhri from Libya, officially supported by the Libyan House of Representatives, in the context of his country’s efforts to regain its position within continental institutions.

The Pan-African Parliament comprises members chosen from national parliaments, with five representatives from each country. Each delegation is required to include at least one woman, ensuring female representation, though not necessarily at the leadership level. All presidential candidates are already members of their respective national parliaments, having met the legal requirements and taken the oath of office.

The Bureau of the African Parliament consists of a President and 4 Vice-Presidents representing the five regions, with the region that wins the presidency being excluded from the position of Vice-President in the same session. The 4 Vice-Presidents are chosen through agreements within their regions or through an internal vote, before being approved in the plenary session.