| Horoscope |
|---|
|
|
|
| |
|
Algeria Page |
Welcome to ElectionInfo.com's pages on Algeria
Official Name: Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria
Capital: Algiers
Area: 2,381,740 square kilometres (919,595 square miles )
Population: 27,939,000 (1995 estimate)
Population growth rate : 2.3 per cent (1990-1995 average)
Population density : 12 persons per square kilometre (31.1 persons per square mile (1995 estimate))
Type of government: Republic
Independence: 5 July 1962 (from France)
Constitution: 19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised February 1989
Voting Rights: Universal at age 18
Government
Before the High Security Council (HSC) took power, executive authority was held by a president, prime minister, and cabinet, and there was an elected legislature. In 1994, anticipating the return of democracy at some time in the future, the HSC established an unelected 200-member National Transition Council. It was boycotted by most of the main political parties. Everyone over the age of 18 can vote. Women were granted the right to vote in 1976.
Recent History
After World War I, nationalist movements formed in the French territory of present-day Algeria. The nationalists hoped an alliance with France would lead to greater independence. These hopes were dashed after World War II, when the 1945 victory celebrations ended in a riot in which 84 Europeans died. This led to French retaliations in which at least 1,800 Algerian Muslims were killed. Resentment of foreign control grew, and in 1954 led to open rebellion. After eight years of bitter and violent fighting, independence was finally granted on 3 July 1962.
Algeria’s first head of government, Ben Khedda, was soon replaced by Ahmed Ben Bella, who was deposed in 1965 by Colonel Houari Boumédienne. In 1976 a National Charter stated that socialism and Islam were to be the guiding principles of government. Soon afterwards a one-party system of government was established under a new constitution, with the National Liberation Front (FLN) as the republic's only political party. It was not until 1989, following serious unrest, that a new constitution allowing a multi-party system was approved.
The nation’s first free elections (local and regional) were held in 1990, and full national elections were set for late 1991. The Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) gained surprising victories in the 1990 elections and made it clear that it wanted Algeria to become an Islamic republic. To press the government toward quicker elections, many Algerians staged strikes in 1991. Subsequent violence led President Chadli Bendjedid (who had been re-elected in 1988 for a third five-year term) to dismiss the government, postpone elections, and declare a state of emergency. Elections were eventually held in December 1991. Again, fundamentalists appeared to be heading for victory. To prevent the FIS from taking power, the military took control of the government and forced Bendjedid to resign. A High Security Council was formed that cancelled all election results, and in 1992 it banned the FIS. The council's president was assassinated in June of that year, and this led to an even heavier crackdown on fundamentalists. The High Security Council created the High Council of State, a five-member collective presidency, to govern. The country slid further into economic and political chaos, and the group was replaced in January 1994 by a single president, General Liamine Zeroual, although the High Security Council remained in control of major government decisions.
Muslim militants increased their strength after 1992, forming a substantial guerrilla army and gaining control of urban enclaves and small cities. In 1993 foreign nationals left the country as a result of the violence and the threats to them, and foreign investors withdrew or reduced their investments. During that year militants murdered at least 24 foreigners and at least 140 government officials, intellectuals, and secularists. More than 140 police were also killed, as well as several hundred militants. In 1994 the violence continued, but the government began to take tentative steps toward seeking an accommodation with opposition parties.
In November 1995, Algeria held its first multi-party presidential election since gaining independence from France in 1962. About 75 per cent of eligible voters participated. According to government figures, Zeroual won the election with about 60 per cent of the vote.
|
|
