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Algeria

People's Democratic Republic of Algeria

Civil law with Islamic law in personal statusSemi-presidential republicReviewed· 2026-08-03
Capital
Algiers
Population
45,600,000
Languages
Arabic, Tamazight
Currency
DZD

Algeria · Government

Government and administration in Algeria

How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.

The three branches

Head of state — President of the Republic
Directly elected for five years, renewable once.
Executive — Head of Government or Prime Minister and cabinet
The 2020 text ties the appointment to the parliamentary majority.
Legislature — People's National Assembly and Council of the Nation
The lower house is elected; a third of the upper house is presidentially appointed.
Judiciary — High Council of the Judiciary
Manages judicial careers and discipline.

How legislation is made

Bills come from the government or from at least twenty members of either chamber. They are examined in committee, passed by the People's National Assembly and then the Council of the Nation, with a joint commission resolving disagreement. Organic laws require an absolute majority in the lower house and a three-quarters majority in the upper, plus mandatory constitutional review. The President promulgates within thirty days and may seek a second reading requiring a two-thirds majority to overcome.

Enforcement institutions

Public Prosecution
Prosecutors-general at each judicial council direct criminal investigation.
Direction Générale de la Sûreté Nationale and Gendarmerie Nationale
Urban and rural policing.
Court of Accounts
Audits public expenditure and state enterprises.
Bank of Algeria and COSOB
Central bank and securities regulator.

Government bodies and regulators

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