How Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune navigated a nation through constitutional reform and global shifts

Countries & Cities · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Since taking office in 2019, Abdelmadjid Tebboune has steered Algeria through a period of profound political and economic transition. From constitutional overhauls aimed at limiting presidential terms to navigating complex international alliances and energy diplomacy, his tenure reflects the evolving priorities of a nation balancing internal reform with regional influence.

Born in 1945, Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s career spans decades of Algerian governance, including roles as Minister of Housing and a brief stint as Prime Minister in 2017. His rise to the presidency in December 2019 followed the Hirak Movement, a wave of protests that sought to reshape the country's political landscape. Upon inauguration, Tebboune sought to address these demands by establishing a commission of experts to revise the constitution, focusing on themes like judicial independence, anti-corruption measures, and an immutable two-term limit for the presidency.

The resulting constitutional changes were approved in a 2020 referendum, marking a significant shift in the state's legal framework. However, Tebboune’s administration has faced scrutiny, particularly regarding the handling of dissent. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government faced criticism from organizations like Amnesty International for the prosecution of journalists and activists. Despite these tensions, Tebboune has pursued an active foreign policy, strengthening energy ties with Italy—becoming its largest gas supplier—and engaging in high-level diplomacy with nations including Russia, Egypt, and France.

Tebboune’s presidency has been defined by a push for economic diversification, aiming to move beyond a reliance on hydrocarbons. By 2026, his administration took a hard line on regional affairs, notably severing ties with the United Arab Emirates over concerns regarding interference in African stability and regional diplomatic alignments. As the only living former president in Algeria following the death of Liamine Zéroual in 2026, Tebboune remains a central, singular figure in the nation's contemporary history, having secured a second term in 2024 with 84.3% of the vote.

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