Algeria's political system has remained tightly controlled by its ruling parties for almost two decades, but major economic difficulties have prompted those in power to listen to the opposition more seriously than ever before. Opposition parties have found the space to effectively channel real economic grievances, and they are helping nudge economic reform forward. To appease the growing opposition, the government will be motivated to enact minor economic reforms in an effort to keep the tide of domestic unrest at bay. And even these small changes signal a very new way of moving forward for the restrictive Algerian government. Setting the Stage Algeria is Africa's largest country by landmass and is among the 10 largest on the continent by population. It's a major regional influencer, helping its neighbors fight transnational jihadist militant groups and serving as a crucial transit point for the Mediterranean migration crisis.