|
|
-
- Located between
Morocco and Tunisia, Algeria is the second largest
country in Africa, boasting vast natural resources and a
fairly young population. The country received its
independence in 1962 from the French after 132 years of
colonisation. Since then, the country has undergone
several economic transitions. In 1965, Ahmed Ben
Bella, was
replaced by Houari Boumediene who launched Algeria's
'Revolution Socialiste' in 1971. The state intervened in
every sector of the economy in order to promote Algeria's
industrialisation. Austerity measures were imposed on the
population. The program had success and highly
sophisticated industries were created. In the late
seventies and early eighties the government (under
President Chadli Benjedid) re-examined its economic policies
and initiated a program of economic opening. The program
included a vast decentralisation project which encouraged
privatisation of the public sector and agricultural
reform. In the 1990s, the government of Algeria continued
the liberalisation trend of the 1980s and has embarked on
a bold economic program that has met with widespread
approval from international financial institutions. The
economic initiatives of the government have sought to
build on the strengths of the Algerian market and make
foreign investment as attractive as possible, given the
current circumstances.
- Elected in
November 16, 1995, President
Zeroual sought to rework the political
structure of the country. Historically, Algeria's
government has been constitutionally based and has
consisted of a 295-person legislature known the Assemblee
Populaire Nationale. Suspended in January of 1992, it was
replaced by Conseil Consultatif National in April, 1992,
later replaced by the Conseil National de Transition in
May,1994. The executive branch, known as the Council of
Ministers is headed by the Prime Minister. The prime
Minister is appointed by the head of state. The major
political parties are Front de Liberation Nationale(FLN)
which was previously the only legal party, Front des
Forces Socialistes (FFS), and Front Islamique du Salut
(FIS) the Islamic party that was banned in March of
1992.
-
|
){kind=link}