Incumbent Abdelmadjid Tebboune, former member of the FLN (Arab socialism) is expected to win easily. His challengers are Abdelaali Hassani Cherif (MFS, Islamism) and Youcef Aouchiche (FFS, social democracy). There are concerns about low turnout, as already shown in previous elections.

Tebboune is focusing on strengthening energy exports, raising wages, further improving the business framework, and cracking down on internal dissent. Both Cherif and Aouchiche campaign on granting more freedoms and challenging laws perceived as authoritarian.