Revolutionary Council (Algeria)

The Revolutionary Council (French: Conseil de la Révolution) was the ruling body of Algeria from June 19, 1965, to December 1976. It came to power following the military coup d'état led by Houari Boumédiène which ousted President Ahmed Ben Bella. The Council effectively suspended the Algerian Constitution and ruled the country by decree.

While ostensibly a collective body, power within the Revolutionary Council was largely concentrated in the hands of Houari Boumédiène. The Council oversaw a period of significant socio-economic changes in Algeria, including the nationalization of key industries, the implementation of socialist-oriented policies (the "Charter of Algiers"), and a focus on national development and self-reliance. These policies, while aiming for social justice and economic independence, also led to significant state control and limitations on political freedoms.

The Council's composition was primarily military, reflecting its origins in a military coup. While it included some civilian members, their influence was generally subordinate to the military leadership. The exact membership and internal workings of the Revolutionary Council were not always publicly transparent.

The dissolution of the Revolutionary Council in December 1976 marked a transition towards a more formalized political system, with the adoption of a new constitution and the establishment of a presidential republic under Boumédiène. This transition, however, did not lead to a significant broadening of political participation or a substantial lessening of state control. The legacy of the Revolutionary Council continues to shape Algerian politics and society.