Islamist parties are widely expected to extend their influence over North African politics on Thursday, when Algeria holds its first parliamentary elections since the Arab Spring uprisings.

Islamist parties are expected to capture up to 35% of the seats in the new parliament, more than double the 15% share they took in the last Algerian elections in 2007, political experts and rivals say. That echoes gains achieved by Islamist parties in Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco. Islamists are also expected to do well in Libya's national assembly next month.

Read the complete story(Some news sites require registration)