From freedom until 1991, the National Liberation Front (FLN) controlled Algerian politics. After the 1992 elections were cancelled, the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), which sought to install an Islamic government, was banned; a 1996 constitutional amendment banned political parties based solely on religion or ethnicity. In 1997 the National Democratic Rally (RND), a pro-government party closely allied with the Algerian president, was created.

The RND won the national and local elections of 1997, in which about 40 parties participated. It won over half the seats in the National Assembly elections, far more than any other party. The RND and its coalition parties, the FLN and the Islamist Movement for Peaceful Society, one of two moderate Islamic-oriented parties allowed to participate, won over 80 % of the seats in local elections.

Democratic National Rally or RND [Ahmed OUYAHIA, chairman]; Islamic Salvation Front or FIS (outlawed April 1992) [Ali BELHADJ and Dr. Abassi MADANI (imprisoned), Rabeh KEBIR (self-exile in Germany)]; Movement of a Peaceful Society or MSP [Mahfoud NAHNAH, chairman]; National Liberation Front or FLN [Boualem BENHAMOUDA, secretary general]; Progressive Republican Party [Khadir DRISS]; Rally for Culture and Democracy or RCD [Said SAADI, secretary general]; Renaissance Movement or EnNahda Movement [Lahbib ADAMI]; Social Liberal Party or PSL [Ahmed KHELIL]; Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Hocine Ait AHMED, secretary general (self-exile in Switzerland)]; Union for Democracy and Liberty [Mouley BOUKHALAFA]; Workers Party or PT [Louisa HANOUN]