Abdelaziz Ziari
Abdelaziz Ziari | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 28, 1945 Constantine, Algeria |
| Occupation(s) | Physician, politician |
| Years active | 1967–present |
| Known for | President of the People's National Assembly (2007–2012), Minister of Labor (1991–1992), Minister of Youth and Sports (2004–2005), Minister of Health (2012–2013) |
Abdelaziz Ziari is a physician and political figure from Algeria who held the position of President of the People's National Assembly between 2007 and 2012.
Biography
Ziari was born on August 28, 1945, in Constantine. He obtained his medical degree in 1969. After participating in local union activism, he became a member of the FLN in 1967. His initial legislative campaign took place in 1977 within central Algiers. The following year, he commenced his academic career at the University of Algiers, ultimately leading its hospital by 1980.
In 1983, Ziari secured election as a deputy representing El Harrouch, Skikda Province. He led the commission on education, culture, and social affairs until 1987 and successfully retained his seat that same year. His governmental roles included Minister of Labor from 1991 to 1992, Presidential Advisor from 2003 to 2004, and Minister of Youth and Sports between 2004 and 2005. Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, he was responsible for managing the presidency’s interactions with parliament.
On May 31, 2007, Ziari was chosen as President of the National Assembly. In this capacity, he engaged with prominent international leaders such as EU President Hans-Gert Pöttering and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, advancing democratic cooperation with the Council of Europe. By 2012, he endorsed President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's decision to entrust forthcoming elections to the subsequent assembly.
Following his departure from the APN presidency in September 2012, Ziari was appointed Minister of Health. His objectives included establishing Algeria as a biomedical frontrunner in Africa by fostering synergy between medical research and domestic manufacturing growth. He was relieved from this ministerial post in September 2013.
In 2025, Ziari declined to utilize his diplomatic passport for entry into France, expressing apprehension about the increasing sway of the French far-right and its perceived threat to Algerian sovereignty.