Belaruschief of state: President Aleksandr LUKASHENKO (since 20July 1994)head of government: Prime Minister Sergei SIDORSKY (since 19December 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir SEMASHKO (sinceDecember 2003); Deputy Prime Ministers Andrei KOBYAKOV (sinceDecember 2003), Vladimir DRAZHIN (since 24 September 2001), IvanBAMBIZA (since 25 May 2004), Anatoly TYUTYUNOV (since July 2002)cabinet: Council of Ministerselections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;first election took place 23 June and 10 July 1994; according to the1994 constitution, the next election should have been held in 1999,however LUKASHENKO extended his term to 2001 via a November 1996referendum; new election held 9 September 2001; October 2004referendum ended presidential term limits allowing president to runfor a third term in September 2006; prime minister and deputy primeministers appointed by the presidentelection results: Aleksandr LUKASHENKO reelected president; percentof vote - Aleksandr LUKASHENKO 75.6%, Vladimir GONCHARIK 15.4%
Belgiumchief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); HeirApparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarchhead of government: Prime Minister Guy VERHOFSTADT (since 13 July1999)cabinet: Council of Ministers formally appointed by the monarchelections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following legislativeelections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of themajority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by themonarch and then approved by Parliamentnote: government coalition - VLD, MR, PS, SP.A-Spirit
Belizechief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG, Sr. (since 17November 1993)head of government: Prime Minister Said Wilbert MUSA (since 28August 1998); Deputy Prime Minister John BRICENO (since 1 September1998)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice ofthe prime ministerelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor generalappointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, theleader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalitionis usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; primeminister recommends the deputy prime minister
Beninchief of state: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term;runoff election held 22 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2006)election results: Mathieu KEREKOU reelected president; percent ofvote - Mathieu KEREKOU 84.1%, Bruno AMOUSSOU 15.9%note: the four top-ranking contenders following the first-roundpresidential elections were: Mathieu KEREKOU (incumbent) 45.4%,Nicephore SOGOLO (former president) 27.1%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI(National Assembly Speaker) 12.6%, and Bruno AMOUSSOU (Minister ofState) 8.6%; the second-round balloting, originally scheduled for 18March 2001, was postponed four days because both SOGOLO andHOUNGBEDJI withdrew alleging electoral fraud; this left KEREKOU torun against his own Minister of State, AMOUSSOU, in what was termeda "friendly match"
Bermudachief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor Sir John VEREKER (since NA April 2002)head of government: Premier Alex SCOTT (since 24 July 2003); DeputyPremier Ewart BROWNcabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governorelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed bythe monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usuallyappointed premier by the governor
Bhutanchief of state: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July1972)head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers LyonpoYeshey ZIMBA (since 20 August 2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) nominated by themonarch, approved by the National Assembly; members serve fixed,five-year terms; note - there is also a Royal Advisory Council(Lodoi Tsokde), members nominated by the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary, but democratic reformsin July 1998 grant the National Assembly authority to remove themonarch with two-thirds vote
Boliviachief of state: President Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert (since17 October 2003); Vice President (vacant); note - the president isboth the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert (since 17October 2003); Vice President (vacant); note - the president is boththe chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 30 June 2002(next to be held NA June 2007)election results: as a result of no candidate winning a majority inthe 30 June 2002 election, Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA Bustamante waschosen president by Congress; Congressional votes - Gonzalo SANCHEZDE LOZADA Bustamante 84, Evo MORALES 43; note - following theresignation of the elected president on 17 October 2003, VicePresident Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert assumed the presidency
Bosnia and Herzegovinachief of state: Chairman of the PresidencyBorislav PARAVAC (chairman since 28 October 2004; presidency membersince 10 April 2003 - Serb) other members of the three-memberrotating (every eight months) presidency: Dragan COVIC (since 5October 2002 - Croat) and Sulejman TIHIC (since 5 October 2002 -Bosniak); note - Mirko SAROVIC resigned 2 April 2003head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers AdnanTERZIC (since 20 December 2002)cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the council chairman;approved by the National House of Representativeselections: the three members of the presidency (one Bosniak, oneCroat, one Serb) are elected by popular vote for a four-year term;the member with the most votes becomes the chairman unless he or shewas the incumbent chairman at the time of the election, but thechairmanship rotates every eight months; election last held 5October 2002 (next to be held NA 2006); the chairman of the Councilof Ministers is appointed by the presidency and confirmed by theNational House of Representativeselection results: percent of vote - Mirko SAROVIC with 35.5% of theSerb vote was elected chairman of the collective presidency for thefirst eight months; Dragan COVIC received 61.5% of the Croat vote;Sulejman TIHIC received 37% of the Bosniak votenote: President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: NikoLOZANCIC (since 27 January 2003); Vice Presidents Sahbaz DZIHANOVIC(since NA 2003) and Desnica RADIVOJEVIC (since NA 2003); Presidentof the Republika Srpska: Dragan CAVIC (since 28 November 2002)
Botswanachief of state: President Festus MOGAE (since 1 April 1998)and Vice President Seretse Ian KHAMA (since 13 July 1998); note -the president is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Festus MOGAE (since 1 April 1998) andVice President Seretse Ian KHAMA (since 13 July 1998); note - thepresident is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by the National Assembly for afive-year term; election last held 16 October 1999 (next to be heldNA October 2004); vice president appointed by the presidentelection results: Festus MOGAE elected president; percent ofNational Assembly vote - 54.3%
Brazilchief of state: President Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA (since 1January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA (since 1January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 6 October2002 (next to be held 1 October 2006, with a runoff on 29 October2006 if necessary); runoff election held 27 October 2002election results: in runoff election 27 October 2002, Luiz InacioLULA DA SILVA (PT) was elected with 61.3% of the vote; Jose SERRA(PSDB) 38.7%
British Indian Ocean Territorychief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II(since 6 February 1952)head of government: Commissioner Tony CROMBIE (since January 2004);Administrator Charles A. HAMILTON (since 2002); note - both residein the UKcabinet: NAelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; commissioner andadministrator appointed by the monarch
British Virgin Islandschief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6February 1952), represented by Governor Tom MACAN (since 14 October2002)head of government: Chief Minister Orlando D. SMITH (since 17 June2003)cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members ofthe Legislative Councilelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed bythe monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usuallyappointed chief minister by the governor
Bruneichief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANALBolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chiefof state and head of governmenthead of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah(since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief ofstate and head of governmentcabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over bythe monarch; deals with executive matters; note - there is also aReligious Council (members appointed by the monarch) that advises onreligious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by themonarch) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council ofSuccession (members appointed by the monarch) that determines thesuccession to the throne if the need ariseselections: none; the monarch is hereditary
Bulgariachief of state: President Georgi PURVANOV (since 22 January2002); Vice President Angel MARIN (since 22 January 2002)head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers (PrimeMinister) Simeon SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA (since 24 July 2001); DeputyPrime Ministers Nikolay VASILEV (since 24 July 2001), Lidiya SHULEVA(since 24 July 2001), and Plamen PANAYOTOV (since 17 July 2003)cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister andelected by the National Assemblyelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 11 Novemberand 18 November 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); chairman of theCouncil of Ministers (prime minister) nominated by the president andelected by the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers nominatedby the prime minister and elected by the National Assemblyelection results: Georgi PURVANOV elected president; percent of vote- Georgi PURVANOV 54.13%, Petar STOYANOV 45.87%
Burkina Fasochief of state: President Blaise COMPAORE (since 15October 1987)head of government: Prime Minister Ernest Paramanga YONLI (since 6November 2000)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on therecommendation of the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 15 November 1998 (next to be held NA 2005); inApril 2000, the constitution was amended reducing the presidentialterm from seven to five years, enforceable as of 2005, and allowingthe president to be reelected only once; it is unclear whether thisamendment will be applied retroactively or not; prime ministerappointed by the president with the consent of the legislatureelection results: Blaise COMPAORE reelected president with 87.5%percent of the vote
Burmachief of state: Chairman of the State Peace and DevelopmentCouncil Sr. Gen. THAN SHWE (since 23 April 1992)head of government: Prime Minister, Gen SOE WIN (since 19 October2004)cabinet: State Peace and Development Council (SPDC); military junta,so named 15 November 1997, which initially assumed power 18September 1988 under the name State Law and Order RestorationCouncil (SLORC); the SPDC oversees the cabinetelections: none
Burundichief of state: President Domitien NDAYIZEYE (since 30 April2003); note - NDAYIZEYE, a Hutu, was sworn in as president for thesecond half of the three-year transitional government inaugurated on1 November 2001; Vice President Frederic NGENZEBUHORO (since 11November 2004)head of government: President Domitien NDAYIZEYE (since 30 April2003); note - NDAYIZEYE, a Hutu, was sworn in as president for thesecond half of the three-year transitional government inaugurated on1 November 2001; Vice President Frederic NGENZEBUHORO (since 11November 2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by presidentelections: NA; current president assumed power on 30 April 2003 aspart of the transitional government established by the 2000 ArushaAccord
Cambodiachief of state: King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October2004)head of government: Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985)and Deputy Prime Ministers SAR KHENG (since 3 February 1992),Norodom SIRIVUDH, SOK AN, LU LAY SRENG, TEA BANH, HOR NAMHONG, NHEKBUNCHHAY (since 16 July 2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers in theory appointed by the monarch; inpractice named by the prime ministerelections: none; the monarch is chosen by a Royal Throne Council;following legislative elections, a member of the majority party ormajority coalition is named prime minister by the Chairman of theNational Assembly and appointed by the king
Cameroonchief of state: President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982)head of government: Prime Minister Ephraim INONI (since 8 Dec 2004)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from proposals submittedby the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;election last held 11 October 2004 (next to be held NA October2011); prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote -Paul BIYA 70.9%, John FRU NDI 17.4%, Adamou Ndam NJOYA 4.5%, GargaHaman ADJI 3.7%
Canadachief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General Adrienne CLARKSON (since 7 October1999)head of government: Prime Minister Paul MARTIN (since 12 December2003); Deputy Prime Minister Anne MCLELLAN (since 12 December 2003)cabinet: Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister from amongthe members of his own party sitting in Parliamentelections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor generalappointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for afive-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or the leader of the majority coalition in the Houseof Commons is automatically designated prime minister by thegovernor general
Cape Verdechief of state: President Pedro PIRES (since 22 March2001)head of government: Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1February 2001)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on therecommendation of the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 11 and 25 February 2001 (next to be held NAFebruary 2006); prime minister nominated by the National Assemblyand appointed by the presidentelection results: Pedro PIRES elected president; percent of vote -Pedro PIRES (PAICV) 49.43%, Carlos VIEGA (MPD) 49.42%; note - theelection was won by only twelve votes
Cayman Islandschief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February1952); Governor Bruce DINWIDDY (since 29 May 2002)head of government: Chief Secretary W. McKeeva BUSH (since NADecember 2001)cabinet: Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor,four members elected by the Legislative Assembly)elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor isappointed by the monarch; the chief secretary is appointed by thegovernor
Central African Republicchief of state: President Francois BOZIZE(since 15 March 2003 coup) and Vice President Abel GOUMA (since 12December 2003)head of government: Prime Minister Celestin GAOMBALET (since 12December 2003)cabinet: Council of Ministerselections: NA; municipal, legislative and presidential electionsscheduled for December 2004 or January 2005; prime ministerappointed by the president
Chadchief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY (since 4December 1990)head of government: Prime Minister Pascal YOADIMNADJI (since 3February 2005)cabinet: Council of State, members appointed by the president on therecommendation of the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote to serve five-yearterm; if no candidate receives at least 50% of the total vote, thetwo candidates receiving the most votes must stand for a secondround of voting; last held 20 May 2001 (next to be held NA 2006);prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY reelected president; percentof vote - Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY 63%, Ngarlegy YORONGAR 16%, SalehKEBZABO 7%note: government coalition - MPS, UNDR, and URD
Chilechief of state: President Ricardo LAGOS Escobar (since 11March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Ricardo LAGOS Escobar (since 11 March2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;election last held 12 December 1999, with runoff election held 16January 2000 (next to be held NA December 2005)election results: Ricardo LAGOS Escobar elected president; percentof vote - Ricardo LAGOS Escobar 51.32%, Joaquin LAVIN 48.68%
Chinachief of state: President HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003) andVice President ZENG Qinghong (since 15 March 2003)head of government: Premier WEN Jiabao (since 16 March 2003); VicePremiers HUANG Ju (since 17 March 2003), WU Yi (17 March 2003), ZENGPeiyan (since 17 March 2003), and HUI Liangyu (since 17 March 2003)cabinet: State Council appointed by the National People's Congress(NPC)elections: president and vice president elected by the NationalPeople's Congress for five-year terms; elections last held 15-17March 2003 (next to be held mid-March 2008); premier nominated bythe president, confirmed by the National People's Congresselection results: HU Jintao elected president by the Tenth NationalPeople's Congress with a total of 2,937 votes (4 delegates votedagainst him, 4 abstained, and 38 did not vote); ZENG Qinghongelected vice president by the Tenth National People's Congress witha total of 2,578 votes (177 delegates voted against him, 190abstained, and 38 did not vote); 2 seats were vacant
Christmas Islandchief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6February 1952), represented by the Australian governor generalhead of government: Administrator Evan WILLIAMS (since 1 November2003)elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointedby the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch andAustralia
Cocos (Keeling) Islandschief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6February 1952), represented by the Australian governor generalhead of government: Administrator (nonresident) Evan WILLIAMS (since1 November 2003)cabinet: NAelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointedby the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch andAustralia
Colombiachief of state: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7August 2002); Vice President Francisco SANTOS (since 7 August 2002);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August2002); Vice President Francisco SANTOS (since 7 August 2002); note -the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet consists of a coalition of the two dominant parties- the PL and PSC - and independentselections: president and vice president elected by popular vote fora four-year term; election last held 26 May 2002 (next to be held NAMay 2006)election results: President Alvaro URIBE Velez received 53% of thevote; Vice President Francisco SANTOS was elected on the same ticket
Comoroschief of state: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May2002); note - following a 1999 coup AZALI was appointed president;in January 2002 he resigned his position to run in the 14 April 2002presidential elections; Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO wasappointed interim president until replaced again by AZALI in May2002 when BOLERO was appointed Minister of External Defense andTerritorial Security; the president is both the chief of state andthe head of governmenthead of government: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2002);note - following a 1999 coup AZALI was appointed president; inJanuary 2002 he resigned his position to run in the 14 April 2002presidential elections; Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO wasappointed interim president until replaced again by AZALI in May2002 when BOLERO was appointed Minister of External Defense andTerritorial Security; the president is both the chief of state andthe head of governmentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: as defined by the 2001 constitution, the presidencyrotates every four years among the elected presidents from the threemain islands in the Union; election last held 14 April 2002 (next tobe held NA April 2007); prime minister appointed by the president;note - AZALI has not appointed a Prime Minister since he was sworninto office in May 2002election results: President AZALI Assoumani elected president with75% of the vote
Congo, Democratic Republic of thechief of state: President JosephKABILA (since 26 January 2001); note - following the assassinationof his father, Laurent Desire KABILA, on 16 January 2001, JosephKABILA succeeded to the presidency; the president is both the chiefof state and head of governmenthead of government: President Joseph KABILA (since 26 January 2001);note - following the assassination of his father, Laurent DesireKABILA, on 16 January 2001, Joseph KABILA succeeded to thepresidency; the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: National Executive Council, appointed by the presidentelections: prior to the overthrow of MOBUTU Sese Seko, the presidentwas elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election lastheld 29 July 1984 (next was scheduled to be held in May 1997);formerly, there was also a prime minister who was elected by theHigh Council of the Republic; note - a Transitional Government isdrafting a new constitution with free elections scheduled to be heldin NA 2005election results: results of the last election were: MOBUTU SeseSeko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga reelected president in 1984 withoutoppositionnote: Joseph KABILA succeeded his father, Laurent Desire KABILA,following the latter's assassination in January 2001, negotiationswith rebel leaders led to the establishment of a transitionalgovernment in July 2003 with free elections scheduled to be held inNA 2005
Congo, Republic of thechief of state: President DenisSASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October 1997, following the civil war inwhich he toppled elected president Pascal LISSOUBA); note - thepresident is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected presidentPascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of stateand head of governmentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term(eligible for a second seven-year term); election last held 10 March2002 (next to be held NA 2009)election results: Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO reelected president; percentof vote - Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO 89.4%, Joseph Kignoumbi Kia MBOUNGOU2.7%
Cook Islandschief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February1952), represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); NewZealand High Commissioner Kurt MEYER (since July 2001),representative of New Zealandhead of government: Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December2004); Deputy Prime Minister SIR Geoffrey HENRY (since 14 December2004)cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectivelyresponsible to Parliamentelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative isappointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner isappointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislativeelections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of themajority coalition usually becomes prime minister
Coral Sea Islandsadministered from Canberra by the Department ofthe Environment, Sport, and Territories
Costa Ricachief of state: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May2002); First Vice President Lineth SABORIO (since 8 May 2002);Second Vice President Luis FISHMAN (since 8 May 2002); note - thepresident is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May 2002); FirstVice President Lineth SABORIO (since NA May 2002); Second VicePresident Luis FISHMAN (since NA May 2002); note - the president isboth the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet selected by the presidentelections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticketby popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 3 February2002; run-off election held 7 April 2002 (next to be held NAFebruary 2006)election results: Abel PACHECO elected president; percent of vote -Abel PACHECO (PUSC) 58%; Rolando ARAYA (PLN) 42%
Cote d'Ivoirechief of state: President Laurent GBAGBO (since 26October 2000); note - seized power following a popular overthrow ofthe interim leader Gen. Robert GUEI who had claimed a dubiousvictory in presidential elections; Gen. GUEI himself had assumedpower on 25 December 1999, following a military coup against thegovernment of former President Henri Konan BEDIEhead of government: Prime Minister Seydou DIARRA (since 25 January2003); note - appointed as transitional Prime Minister by PresidentGBAGBO as part of a French brokered peace plancabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 26 October 2000 (next to be held NA 2005); primeminister appointed by the presidentelection results: Laurent GBAGBO elected president; percent of vote- Laurent GBAGBO 59.4%, Robert GUEI 32.7%, Francis WODIE 5.7%, other2.2%
Croatiachief of state: President Stjepan (Stipe) MESIC (since 18February 2000)head of government: Prime Minister Ivo SANADER (since 9 December2003); Deputy Prime Ministers Jadranka KOSOR (since 23 December2003) and Andrija HEBRANG (since 23 December 2003)cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister andapproved by the parliamentary Assemblyelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 16 January 2005 (next to be held January 2010);prime minister nominated by the president in line with the balanceof power in the Assemblyelection results: Stjepan MESIC reelected president; percent of vote- Stjepan MESIC (HNS) 66%, Jadranka KOSOR (HDZ) 34%
Cubachief of state: President of the Council of State and Presidentof the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz (prime minister fromFebruary 1959 until 24 February 1976 when office was abolished;president since 2 December 1976); First Vice President of theCouncil of State and First Vice President of the Council ofMinisters Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December 1976); note - thepresident is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President of the Council of State and Presidentof the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz (prime minister fromFebruary 1959 until 24 February 1976 when office was abolished;president since 2 December 1976); First Vice President of theCouncil of State and First Vice President of the Council ofMinisters Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December 1976); note - thepresident is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the president of theCouncil of State and appointed by the National Assembly or the31-member Council of State, elected by the Assembly to act on itsbehalf when it is not in sessionelections: president and vice presidents elected by the NationalAssembly for a term of five years; election last held 6 March 2003(next to be held in 2008)election results: Fidel CASTRO Ruz reelected president; percent oflegislative vote - 100%; Raul CASTRO Ruz elected vice president;percent of legislative vote - 100%
Cypruschief of state: President Tassos PAPADOPOULOS (since 1 March2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernment; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriothead of government: President Tassos PAPADOPOULOS (since 1 March2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernment; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriotcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed jointly by the president andvice presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 16 February 2003 (next to be held NA February2008)election results: Tassos PAPADOPOULOS elected president; percent ofvote - Tassos PAPADOPOULOS 51.5%, Glafkos KLIRIDIS 38.8%, AlekosMARKIDIS 6.6%note: Rauf R. DENKTASH has been "president" of north Cyprus since 13February 1975 ("president" elected by popular vote for a five-yearterm); elections last held 15 April 2000 (next to be held April2005); results - Rauf R. DENKTASH reelected president after theother contender withdrew; Mehmet Ali TALAT, who had been "primeminister" of north Cyprus since mid-January 2004, currently servingin a caretaker capacity following the failure of the governingcoalition to pass a budget; "parliamentary" elections are plannedfor 20 February 2005; there is a Council of Ministers (cabinet) innorth Cyprus, appointed by the "prime minister"
Czech Republicchief of state: President Vaclav KLAUS (since 7 March2003)note: the Czech Republic's first president Vaclav HAVEL stepped downfrom office on 2 February 2003 having served exactly 10 years;parliament finally elected a successor on 28 February 2003 after twoinconclusive elections in January 2003head of government: Prime Minister Stanislav GROSS (since 26 July2004), Deputy Prime Ministers Zdenek SKROMACH (since 4 August 2004),Martin JAHN (since 4 August 2004), Pavel NEMEC (since 4 August2004); Milan SIMONOVSKY (since 4 August 2004)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation ofthe prime ministerelections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term;last successful election held 28 February 2003 (after earlierelections held 15 and 24 January 2003 were inconclusive; nextelection to be held NA January 2008); prime minister appointed bythe presidentelection results: Vaclav KLAUS elected president on 28 February2003; Vaclav KLAUS 142 votes, Jan SOKOL 124 votes (third round;combined votes of both chambers of parliament)
Denmarkchief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972);Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born26 May 1968)head of government: Prime Minister Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN (since 27November 2001)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved byParliamentelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislativeelections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of themajority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch
Dhekeliachief of state: Queen Elizabeth II (since 6 February 1952)head of government: Administrator Maj. Gen. Peter Tomas ClaytonPEARSON (since 9 May 2003) note - reports to the British Ministry ofDefenceelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the administrator isappointed by the monarch
Djiboutichief of state: President Ismail Omar GUELLEH (since 8 May1999)head of government: Prime Minister DILEITA Mohamed Dileita (since 4March 2001)cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;election last held 9 April 1999 (next to be held NA 2005); primeminister appointed by the presidentelection results: Ismail Omar GUELLEH elected president; percent ofvote - Ismail Omar GUELLEH 74.4%, IDRIS Moussa Ahmed 25.6%
Dominicachief of state: President Nicholas J. O. LIVERPOOL (sinceOctober 2003)head of government: Prime Minister Roosevelt SKERRIT (since 8January 2004); note - assumed post after death of Prime MinisterPierre CHARLEScabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of theprime ministerelections: president elected by the House of Assembly for afive-year term; election last held 1 October 2003 (next to be heldNA October 2008); prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: Nicholas LIVERPOOL elected president; percent oflegislative vote - NA
Dominican Republicchief of state: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna(since 16 August 2004); Vice President Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de Castro(since 16 August 2004); note - the president is both the chief ofstate and head of governmenthead of government: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16August 2004); Vice President Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de Castro (since 16August 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmentcabinet: Cabinet nominated by the presidentelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 16 May 2004(next to be held in May 2008)election results: Leonel FERNANDEZ elected president; percent ofvote - Leonel FERNANDEZ (PLD) 57.1%, Rafael Hipolito MEJIA Dominguez(PRD) 33.7%, Eduardo ESTRELLA (PRSC) 8.7%
East Timorchief of state: President Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO (since20 May 2002); note - the president plays a largely symbolic role butis able to veto some legislation; he formerly used the name JoseAlexandre GUSMAOhead of government: Prime Minister Mari Bin Amude ALKATIRI (since 20May 2002)cabinet: Council of Ministerselections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 14 April 2002 (next to be held NA April 2007);after the first legislative elections, the leader of the majorityparty was appointed prime minister by the president, suggesting aprecedent for the futureelection results: Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO elected president; percentof vote - Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO 82.7%, Francisco Xavier do AMARAL17.3%
Ecuadorchief of state: President Lucio GUTIERREZ (since 15 January2003); Vice President Alfredo PALACIO (since 15 January 2003); note- the president is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Lucio GUTIERREZ (since 15 January2003); Vice President Alfredo PALACIO (since 15 January 2003); note- the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: the president and vice president are elected on the sameticket by popular vote for a four-year term (no immediatereelection); election last held 20 October 2002; runoff electionheld 24 November 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006)election results: results of the 24 November 2002 runoff election -Lucio GUTIERREZ elected president; percent of vote - Lucio GUTIERREZ54.3%; Alvaro NOBOA 45.7%
Egyptchief of state: President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (since 14October 1981)head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed NAZIF (since 9 July 2004)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president nominated by the People's Assembly for asix-year term, the nomination must then be validated by a national,popular referendum; national referendum last held 26 September 1999(next to be held NA October 2005); prime minister appointed by thepresidentelection results: national referendum validated President MUBARAK'snomination by the People's Assembly to a fourth term
El Salvadorchief of state: President Elias Antonio SACA (since 1June 2004); Vice President Ana Vilma DE ESCOBAR (since 1 June 2004);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Elias Antonio SACA (since 1 June2004); Vice President Ana Vilma DE ESCOBAR (since 1 June 2004); note- the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the presidentelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 21 March2004 (next to be held NA March 2009)election results: Elias Antonio SACA elected president; percent ofvote - Elias Antonio SACA (ARENA) 57.7%, Schafik HANDAL (FMLN)35.6%, Hector SILVA (CDU-PDC) 3.9%, other 2.8%
Equatorial Guineachief of state: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.)Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979 when he seizedpower in a military coup)head of government: Prime Minister Miguel Abia BITEO BORICO (since14 June 2004); First Deputy Prime Minister Miguel OYONO NDONG (sinceNA January 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Demetrio Elo NDONG NZE FUMU(since NA January 1998)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;election last held 15 December 2002 (next to be held NA December2009); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by thepresidentelection results: Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected president;percent of vote - Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO 97.1%, CelestinoBonifacio BACALE 2.2%; elections marred by widespread fraud
Eritreachief of state: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernment and is head of the State Council and National Assemblyhead of government: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernment and is head of the State Council and National Assemblycabinet: State Council is the collective executive authority;members appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by the National Assembly; election lastheld 8 June 1993 (next election date uncertain as the NationalAssembly did not hold a presidential election in December 2001 asanticipated)election results: ISAIAS Afworki elected president; percent ofNational Assembly vote - ISAIAS Afworki 95%
Estoniachief of state: President Arnold RUUTEL (since 8 October2001)head of government: Prime Minister Juhan PARTS (since 10 April 2003)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister,approved by Parliamentelections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; ifhe or she does not secure two-thirds of the votes after three roundsof balloting in the Parliament, then an electoral assembly (made upof Parliament plus members of local governments) elects thepresident, choosing between the two candidates with the largestpercentage of votes; election last held 21 September 2001 (next tobe held in the fall of 2006); prime minister nominated by thepresident and approved by Parliamentelection results: Arnold RUUTEL elected president on 21 September2001 by a 367-member electoral assembly that convened followingParliament's failure in August to elect then-President MERI'ssuccessor; on the second ballot of voting, RUUTEL received 186 votesto Parliament Speaker Toomas SAVI's 155; the remaining 26 ballotswere either left blank or invalid
Ethiopiachief of state: President GIRMA Woldegiorgis (since 8October 2001)head of government: Prime Minister MELES Zenawi (since NA August1995)cabinet: Council of Ministers as provided for in the December 1994constitution; ministers are selected by the prime minister andapproved by the House of People's Representativeselections: president elected by the House of People'sRepresentatives for a six-year term; election last held 8 October2001 (next to be held NA October 2007); prime minister designated bythe party in power following legislative electionselection results: GIRMA Woldegiorgis elected president; percent ofvote by the House of People's Representatives - 100%
European Unionchief of union: President of the European CommissionJose DURAO BARROSO (since 22 November 2004)cabinet: European Commission (composed of 25 members, one from eachmember country; each commissioner responsible for one or more policyareas)elections: the president of the European Commission is designated bymember governments; the president-designate then chooses the otherCommission members; the European Parliament confirms the entireCommission for a five-year term; election last held 18 November 2004(next to be held 2009)election results: European Parliament approved the EuropeanCommission by an approval vote of 449-149 with 82 abstentionsnote: the European Council brings together heads of state andgovernment and the president of the European Commission and meets atleast twice a year; its aim is to provide the impetus for the majorpolitical issues relating to European integration and to issuegeneral policy guidelines
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II(since 6 February 1952)head of government: Governor Howard PEARCE (since 3 December 2002);Chief Executive Chris SIMPKINS (since NA March 2003); FinancialSecretary Derek F. HOWATT (since NA)cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the LegislativeCouncil, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financialsecretary), and the governorelections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed bythe monarch
Faroe Islandschief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS,chief administrative officer (since 1 November 2001)head of government: Prime Minister Joannes EIDESGAARD (since 3February 2004)cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime ministerelections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed bythe monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usuallyelected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held20 January 2004 (next to be held no later than January 2008)election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister; percentof parliamentary vote - NA%note: coalition of Social Democrats, Union Party, and People's Party
Fijichief of state: President Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda(since 18 July 2000)head of government: Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since 10September 2000)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among themembers of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament; note - thereis also a Presidential Council that advises the president on mattersof national importance and a Great Council of Chiefs, which consistsof the highest ranking members of the traditional chief systemelections: president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for afive-year term; prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda elected presidentby the Great Council of Chiefs; percent of vote - NA%
Finlandchief of state: President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000)head of government: Prime Minister Matti VANHANEN (since 24 June2003) and Deputy Prime Minister Antti KALLIOMAKI (since 17 April2003); note - former Prime Minister Anneli JAATTEENMAKI resignedcabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by thepresident, responsible to Parliamentelections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;election last held 16 January 2000 and 6 February 2000 (next to beheld February 2006); the president appoints the prime minister anddeputy prime minister from the majority party or the majoritycoalition after Parliamentary elections and the Parliament mustapprove the appointmentelection results: Tarja HALONEN elected president; percent of vote -Tarja HALONEN (SDP) 51.6%, Esko AHO (Kesk) 48.4%note: government coalition - KESK, SDP, and SFP
Francechief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995)head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Pierre RAFFARIN (since 7 May2002)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on thesuggestion of the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(changed from seven-year term in October 2000); election last held21 April and 5 May 2002 (next to be held, first round April 2007,second round May 2007); prime minister nominated by the NationalAssembly majority and appointed by the presidentelection results: Jacques CHIRAC reelected president; percent ofvote, second ballot - Jacques CHIRAC (RPR) 81.96%, Jean-Marie LE PEN(FN) 18.04%
French Guianachief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France(since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Ange MANCINI (since 31July 2002)head of government: President of the General Council JosephHO-TEN-YOU (since 26 March 2001); President of the Regional CouncilAntoine KARAM (since 22 March 1992)cabinet: NAelections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-yearterm; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of theFrench Ministry of Interior; presidents of the General and RegionalCouncils are appointed by the members of those councils
French Polynesiachief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France(since 17 May 1995), represented by High Commissioner of theRepublic Michel MATHIEU (since 24 October 2001)head of government: President of the Territorial Government ofFrench Polynesia Gaston FLOSSE (since 9 October 2004); President ofthe Territorial Assembly Lucette TAERO (since 17 May 2001)cabinet: Council of Ministers; president submits a list of membersof the Territorial Assembly for approval by them to serve asministerselections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-yearterm; high commissioner appointed by the French president on theadvice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of theTerritorial Government and the president of the Territorial Assemblyare elected by the members of the assembly
Gabonchief of state: President El Hadj Omar BONGO (since 2 December1967)head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Francois NTOUTOUME-EMANE(since 23 January 1999)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister inconsultation with the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;election last held 6 December 1998 (next to be held NA 2005); primeminister appointed by the presidentelection results: President El Hadj Omar BONGO reelected; percent ofvote - El Hadj Omar BONGO 66.6%, Pierre MAMBOUNDOU 16.5%, Fr. PaulM'BA-ABESSOLE 13.4%
Gambia, Thechief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since18 October 1996; note - from 1994 to 1996 he was Chairman of theJunta); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note- the president is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18October 1996; note - from 1994 to 1996 was he Chairman of theJunta); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note- the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;the number of terms is not restricted; election last held 18 October2001 (next to be held October 2006)election results: Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH reelected president; percentof vote - Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 52.9%, Ousainou DARBOE 32.7%
Georgiachief of state: President Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (since 25January 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of government for the power ministries: state security(includes interior) and defensehead of government: President Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (since 25 January2004); Prime Minister Zurab ZHVANIA (since 9 February 2004); note -the president is the chief of state and head of government for thepower ministries: state security (includes interior) and defense;the prime minister is head of the remaining ministries of governmentcabinet: Cabinet of Ministerselections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 4 January 2004 (next to be held NA 2009)election results: Mikheil SAAKASHVILI elected president; percent ofvote - Mikheil SAAKASHVILI 96.3%, Temur SHASHIASHVILI 1.9%
Germanychief of state: President Horst KOEHLER (since 1 July 2004)head of government: Chancellor Gerhard SCHROEDER (since 27 October1998); Vice Chancellor Joschka FISCHER (since 17 October 1998)cabinet: Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) appointed bythe president on the recommendation of the chancellorelections: president elected for a five-year term by a FederalConvention including all members of the Federal Assembly and anequal number of delegates elected by the state parliaments; electionlast held 23 May 2004 (next to be held 23 May 2009); chancellorelected by an absolute majority of the Federal Assembly for afour-year term; election last held 22 September 2002 (next to beheld September 2006)election results: Horst KOEHLER elected president; received 604votes of the Federal Convention against 589 for Gesine SCHWAN;Gerhard SCHROEDER elected chancellor; percent of Federal Assemblyvote 50.7%
Ghanachief of state: President John Agyekum KUFUOR (since 7 January2001); Vice President Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA (since 7 January 2001);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President John Agyekum KUFUOR (since 7 January2001); Vice President Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA (since 7 January 2001);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Council of Ministers; president nominates members subjectto approval by Parliamentelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 December2004 (next to be held December 2008)election results: John Agyekum KUFUOR reelected president inelection; percent of vote - John KUFUOR 53.4%, John Atta MILLS 43.7%
Gibraltarchief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February1952), represented by Governor and Commander-in-Chief Sir FrancisRICHARDS (since 27 May 2003)head of government: Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 15 electedmembers of the House of Assembly by the governor in consultationwith the chief ministerelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed bythe monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usuallyappointed chief minister by the governor
Greecechief of state: President Konstandinos (Kostis)STEPHANOPOULOS (since 10 March 1995)head of government: Prime Minister Konstandinos KARAMANLIS (since 7March 2004)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation ofthe prime ministerelections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term;election last held 8 February 2000 (next to be held by February2005); according to the Greek Constitution, presidents may onlyserve two terms; president appoints leader of the party securingplurality of vote in election to become prime minister and form agovernmentelection results: Konstandinos STEPHANOPOULOS reelected president;percent of Parliament vote - 90%
Greenlandchief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Peter LAURITEEN(since NA 2002)head of government: Prime Minister Hans ENOKSEN (since 14 December2002)cabinet: Home Rule Government is elected by the Parliament(Landstinget) on the basis of the strength of partieselections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointedby the monarch; prime minister is elected by Parliament (usually theleader of the majority party); election last held 3 December 2002(next to be held December 2006)election results: Hans ENOKSEN elected prime ministernote: government coalition - Siumut and Inuit Ataqatigiit
Grenadachief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General Daniel WILLIAMS (since 9 August 1996)head of government: Prime Minister Keith MITCHELL (since 22 June1995)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice ofthe prime ministerelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor generalappointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, theleader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalitionis usually appointed prime minister by the governor general
Guadeloupechief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Paul GIROT DE LANGLADE (since17 August 2004)head of government: President of the General Council Jacques GILLOT(since 26 March 2001); President of the Regional Council VictorinLUREL (since 2 April 2004)cabinet: NAelections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-yearterm; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of theFrench Ministry of Interior; the presidents of the General andRegional Councils are elected by the members of those councilselection results: NA
Guamchief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January2001)head of government: Governor Felix P. P. CAMACHO (since 6 January2003) and Lieutenant Governor Kaleo MOYLAN (since 6 January 2003)cabinet: executive departments; heads appointed by the governor withthe consent of the Guam legislatureelections: US president and vice president elected on the sameticket for a four-year term; governor and lieutenant governorelected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year term;election last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2006)election results: Felix P. P. CAMACHO elected governor; percent ofvote - Felix P. P. CAMACHO (Republican Party) 55.4%, Robert A.UNDERWOOD (Democratic Party) 44.6%
Guatemalachief of state: President Oscar Jose Rafael BERGER Perdomo(since 14 January 2004); Vice President Eduardo STEIN Barillas(since 14 January 2004); note - the president is both the chief ofstate and head of governmenthead of government: President Oscar Jose Rafael BERGER Perdomo(since 14 January 2004); Vice President Eduardo STEIN Barillas(since 14 January 2004); note - the president is both the chief ofstate and head of governmentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term;election last held 9 November 2003; runoff held 28 December 2003(next to be held NA November 2007)election results: Oscar BERGER Perdomo elected president; percent ofvote - Oscar BERGER Perdomo (GANA) 54.1%, Alvaro COLOM (UNE) 45.9%
Guernseychief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief Lt. Gen.Sir John FOLEY (since NA 2000)head of government: Chief Minister Laurie MORGAN (since 1 May 2004)cabinet: Policy Council elected by the States of Deliberationelections: the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointedby the monarch; chief minister is elected by States of Delibertionelection results: Laurie MORGAN elected chief minister, percent ofvote of the States of Deliberation NA
Guineachief of state: President Lansana CONTE (head of militarygovernment since 5 April 1984, elected president 19 December 1993)head of government: Prime Minister Cellou Dalein DIALLO (since 9December 2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be electedpresident; election last held 21 December 2003 (next to be held NADecember 2008); the prime minister is appointed by the presidentelection results: Lansana CONTE reelected president; percent of vote- Lansana CONTE (PUP) 95.3%, Mamadou Boye BARRY (UPR) 4.6%
Guinea-Bissauchief of state: President Henrique ROSA (interim;since 28 September 2003); note - a September 2003 coup overthrew theelected government of Kumba YALA; General Verissimo Correia SEABRAserved as interim president from 14 to 28 September 2003head of government: Prime Minister Carlos GOMES Junior (since 9 May2004)cabinet: NAelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 28 November 1999 and 16 January 2000 (next to beheld NA 2004); prime minister appointed by the president afterconsultation with party leaders in the legislatureelection results: Kumba YALA elected president; percent of vote,second ballot - Kumba YALA (PRS) 72%, Malan Bacai SANHA (PAIGC) 28%note: a bloodless coup led to the dissolution of the electedgovernment of Kumba YALA in September 2003; General VerissimoCorreia SEABRA served as interim president from 14 September 2003until stepping aside on 28 September 2003 with the establishment ofa caretaker government
Guyanachief of state: President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 11 August1999); note - assumed presidency after resignation of PresidentJanet JAGANhead of government: Prime Minister Samuel HINDS (since NA December1997)cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president,responsible to the legislatureelections: president elected by the majority party in the NationalAssembly following legislative elections, which must be held atleast every five years; elections last held 19 March 2001 (next tobe held by March 2006); prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: President Bharrat JAGDEO reelected; percent oflegislative vote - NA
Haitichief of state: Interim President Boniface ALEXANDRE (since 29February 2004)note: Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE resigned as president on 29 February2004; ALEXANDRE, as Chief of the Supreme Court, constitutionallysucceeded Aristidehead of government: Interim Prime Minister Gerald LATORTUE (since 12March 2004), chosen by extraconstitutional Council of EminentPersons representing cross-section of political and civic interestscabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation withthe presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 26 November 2000 (next to be held in November2005); prime minister appointed by the president, ratified by theNational Assemblyelection results: Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE elected president; percentof vote - Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE 92%
Holy See (Vatican City)chief of state: Pope JOHN PAUL II (since 16October 1978)head of government: Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo SODANO (since1 December 1990)cabinet: Pontifical Commission appointed by the popeelections: pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals;election last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the deathof the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the popeelection results: Karol WOJTYLA elected pope
Honduraschief of state: President Ricardo (Joest) MADURO (since 27January 2002); First Vice President Vicente WILLIAMS Agasse (since27 January 2002); Second Vice President Armida Villela Maria DELOPEZ Contreras (since 27 January 2002); Third Vice PresidentAlberto DIAZ Lobo (since 27 January 2002); note - the president isboth the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Ricardo (Joest) MADURO (since 27January 2002); First Vice President Vicente WILLIAMS Agasse (since27 January 2002); Second Vice President Armida Villela Maria DELOPEZ Contreras (since 27 January 2002); Third Vice PresidentAlberto DIAZ Lobo (since 27 January 2002); note - the president isboth the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term;election last held 25 November 2001 (next to be held 27 November2005)election results: Ricardo (Joest) MADURO (PN) elected president -52.2%, Raphael PINEDA Ponce (PL) 44.3%, others 3.5%
Hong Kongchief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15March 2003)head of government: Chief Executive TUNG Chee-hwa (since 1 July 1997)cabinet: Executive Council consists of seven non-official membersand 14 official members; including Chief Secretary Donald TSANGYam-kuen (since 1 May 2001), Financial Secretary Henry TANG (since 2August 2003), and Secretary of Justice Elsie LEUNG (since 1 July1997)elections: TUNG Chee-hwa was elected to a second term in March 2002by an 800-member election committee dominated by pro-Beijing forces;the next election is scheduled to be held in 2007
Hungarychief of state: Ferenc MADL (since 4 August 2000)head of government: Prime Minister Ferenc GYURCSANY (since 29September 2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly onthe recommendation of the presidentelections: president elected by the National Assembly for afive-year term; election last held 6 June 2000 (next to be held byJune 2005); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on therecommendation of the president; election last held 29 September 2004election results: Ferenc MADL elected president; percent oflegislative vote - NA% (but by a simple majority in the third roundof voting); Ferenc GYURCSANY elected prime minister; percent oflegislative vote - 197 to 12note: to be elected, the president must win two-thirds oflegislative vote in the first two rounds or a simple majority in thethird round
Icelandchief of state: President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1August 1996)head of government: Prime Minister Halldor ASGRIMSSON (since 15September 2004); note - Former Prime Minister David ODDSSON switchedpositions with former Foreign Minister Halldor ASGRIMMSONcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved byParliamentelections: president, which is largely a ceremonial post, elected bypopular vote for a four-year term; election last held 26 June 2004(next to be held June 2008); prime minister appointed by thepresidentelection results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON wins with 85.6% of thevote, Baldur AGUSTSSON 12.5%, Astthor MAGNUSSON 1.9%
Indiachief of state: President Abdul KALAM (since 26 July 2002);Vice President Bhairon Singh SHEKHAWAT (since 19 August 2002)head of government: Prime Minister Manmohan SINGH (since NA May 2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on therecommendation of the prime ministerelections: president elected by an electoral college consisting ofelected members of both houses of Parliament and the legislatures ofthe states for a five-year term; election last held NA July 2002(next to be held 18 July 2007); vice president elected by bothhouses of Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 12August 2002 (next to be held NA August 2007); prime minister chosenby parliamentary members of the majority party following legislativeelections; election last held April - May 2004 (next to be held NA2009)election results: Abdul KALAM elected president; percent ofelectoral college vote - 89.6%; Bhairon Singh SHEKHAWAT elected vicepresident; percent of Parliament vote - 59.8%
Indonesiachief of state: President Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO (since20 October 2004) and Vice President Muhammad Yusuf KALLA (since 20October 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO (since 20October 2004) and Vice President Muhammad Yusuf KALLA (since 20October 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president and vice president were elected by direct voteof the citizenryelection results: Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO elected presidentreceiving 60.6% of vote; MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri received 39.4%