How did Algeria’s 2020 constitution change the balance of power in government?

Algeria’s 2020 constitution, adopted following widespread anti-government protests, introduced modest structural changes to the nation's governance. While the document maintained a strong executive branch, it sought to rebalance power by granting additional oversight capabilities to the legislature and providing greater independence to the judiciary.12

Despite these reforms, the president remains the central figure in the Algerian government. The president continues to hold significant authority, including the power to appoint the prime minister, members of the government, and various civilian and military leaders. The legislative process still requires the government to present programs and draft legislation to the bicameral legislature, where the lower house—the National People’s Assembly—retains the exclusive power to alter draft documents.1

Ultimately, while the 2020 constitution was intended to strengthen the legislative and judicial branches to better balance the executive, critics and opposition groups have argued that the political framework remains heavily influenced by the established political order.2