List of Presidents of Algeria: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Algeria from 1963 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Algeria, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Algeria: Abdelmadjid Tebboune (in office since 2019).

Presidents of Algeria in order, with years in office

Ahmed Ben Bella

Served: 1963–1965

First president of independent Algeria; deposed in the coup of 19 June 1965.

Houari Boumédiène

Served: 1965–1978

Led the 1965 coup and ruled through the Revolutionary Council; elected president in 1976 and died in office on 27 December 1978.

Rabah Bitat

Served: 1978–1979 (acting)

Acting head of state for about six weeks after Boumédiène's death.

Chadli Bendjedid

Served: 1979–1992

Served until January 1992, when he left office during the political crisis that preceded the civil war.

Abdelmalek Benhabyles

Served: 1992 (acting)

Chairman of the Constitutional Council who briefly acted as head of state in January 1992.

Mohamed Boudiaf

Served: 1992

Returned from exile to lead the High State Committee and was assassinated on 29 June 1992.

Ali Kafi

Served: 1992–1994

Chaired the High Council of State from July 1992 to January 1994.

Liamine Zéroual

Served: 1994–1999

Won the 1995 election and announced an early election in 1999 that he did not contest.

Abdelaziz Bouteflika

Served: 1999–2019

Longest-serving president, in office for 20 years; resigned on 2 April 2019 after mass protests.

Abdelkader Bensalah

Served: 2019 (interim)

Acted as interim president for 254 days until the December 2019 election.

Abdelmadjid Tebboune

Served: 2019–present

Elected in December 2019 and re-elected in 2024.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Algeria

Who is the current president of Algeria?

The current head of state of Algeria is Abdelmadjid Tebboune, in office since 2019.

Who were the previous presidents of Algeria?

The presidents and heads of state of Algeria listed on this page, in order, are: Ahmed Ben Bella, Houari Boumédiène, Rabah Bitat, Chadli Bendjedid, Abdelmalek Benhabyles, Mohamed Boudiaf, Ali Kafi, Liamine Zéroual, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Abdelkader Bensalah, Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

Who was the first president of Algeria?

Ahmed Ben Bella was the first president of Algeria, in office 1963–1965.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of Algeria and List of heads of state of Algeria; Archontology-style lists (checked Nov 2026). Includes all heads of state since 1963, with acting and interim leaders labelled.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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