Type of government: republic
Capital: Algiers
Administrative divisions: 48 provinces (wilayas, singular -
wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna,
Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira,
Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf,
Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara,
Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el
Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras,
Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi
Ouzou, Tlemcen
Independence: 5 July 1962 (from France)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 1 November (1954)
Constitution: 19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised 3 November 1988 and 23 February 1989
Legal system: socialist, based on French and Islamic law; judicial review of legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed of various public officials, including several Supreme Court justices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Liamine ZEROUAL (appointed president 31
January 1994, elected president 16 November 1995) was elected for a
five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 16 November
1995 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote NA
head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed OUYAHIA (since 31 December
1995) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral; note - suspended since 1992
National People's Assembly (Al-Majlis Ech-Chaabi Al-Watani):
first-round elections held 26 December 1991; second round canceled
by the military after President BENDJEDID resigned 11 January 1992,
effectively suspending the assembly (next election promised by late
1996 or early 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(281 total) the fundamentalist FIS won 188 of the 231 seats
contested in the first round