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Country Name

Conventional long form: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria

Conventional short form: Algeria

Local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah

Local short form: Al Jaza'ir

Etymology: the country name derives from the capital city of Algiers

Administrative Divisions

58 provinces (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Beni Abbes, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Badji Mokhtar, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djanet, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Meghaier, El Meniaa, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, In Guezzam, In Salah, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Ouled Djellal, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanrasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Timimoun, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen, Touggourt

Independence

5 July 1962 (from France)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 5 July (1962); Revolution Day, 1 November (1954)

Constitution

History: several previous; latest approved by referendum November 2020

Amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or through the president with the support of three fourths of the members of both houses of Parliament in joint session; passage requires approval by both houses, approval by referendum, and promulgation by the president; the president can forego a referendum if the Constitutional Council determines the proposed amendment does not conflict with basic constitutional principles; articles including the republican form of government, the integrity and unity of the country, and fundamental citizensâ€™ liberties and rights cannot be amended; amended 2002, 2008, 2016; last in 2020

Legal System

mixed legal system of French civil law and Islamic law; judicial review of legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed of various public officials including several Supreme Court justices

International Law Organization Participation

Has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Citizenship

Citizenship by birth: no

Citizenship by descent only: the mother must be a citizen of Algeria

Dual citizenship recognized: no

Residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive Branch

Chief of state: President Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE (since 12 December 2019)

Head of government: Prime Minister Ayman BENABDERRAHMANE (since 7 July 2021)

Legislative Branch

Description: bicameral Parliament or Barlaman consists of

Elections: Council of the Nation - last held on 5 February 2022 (next election NA)National People's Assembly - snap election held on 12 June 2021 (next to be held on 12 June 2026)

Election results: Council of the Nation - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 54, RND 22, Future Front 7, National Construction Movement 5, FFS 4, other 6, independent 18, appointed 58; composition - NA

3: National People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 98, MSP 65, RND 58, (Future Front) 48, Movement of National Construction 39, other 15, independent 84; composition - men 374, women 33, percent of women 8.1%; note - total Parliament percent of women 7.3%

Judicial Branch

Highest courts: Supreme Court or Le Cour SuprÃªme, (consists of 150 judges organized into 8 chambers

Judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the High Council of Magistracy, an administrative body presided over by the president of the republic, and includes the republic vice-president and several members; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Council members - 4 appointed by the president of the republic, 2 each by the 2 houses of Parliament, 2 by the Supreme Court, and 2 by the Council of State; Council president and members appointed for single 6-year terms with half the membership renewed every 3 years

Subordinate courts: appellate or wilaya courts; first instance or daira tribunals

Political Parties and Leaders

Array

Flag Description

Two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a red, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the two-color boundary; the colors represent Islam (green), purity and peace (white), and liberty (red); the crescent and star are also Islamic symbols, but the crescent is more closed than those of other Muslim countries because Algerians believe the long crescent horns bring happiness

National Symbols

National Anthem

Lyrics music: Mufdi ZAKARIAH/Mohamed FAWZI

National Heritage