Historically, Algeria s government has been constitutionally based and has consisted of a 295-person legislature known the as Unicameral Assemblee Populaire Nationale. 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. President Zeroual's government has actively taken steps to counter-balance the social effects of Algeria's economic austerity measures and at the same time confront the political discord of the past four years. On the political front, President Zeroual has been actively working to create a new constitution.
Amendments proposed by the president seek to establish guidelines for political parties.
Other elements of the Zeroual plan call for a two-term maximum for the president and the establishment of a higher state court to judge the president and prime minister in cases of treason. Parties will have a chance to critique and contribute to changes proposed in the constitution by replying to the president. The government has continued its efforts to reform Algeria's economy. This effort is a continuation of a policy that began in the 1980s, which aimed to liberalize Algeria's socialist economy. While the liberalization policy stagnated in the late 1980s, it picked up momentum in the early 1990s.