El Salvadorchief of state: President Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez(since 1 June 2004); Vice President Ana Vilma DE ESCOBAR (since 1June 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and headof governmenthead of government: President Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez (since 1June 2004); Vice President Ana Vilma DE ESCOBAR (since 1 June 2004);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: 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 March 2009)election results: Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez elected president;percent of vote - Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez (ARENA) 57.7%, SchafikHANDAL (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 Mercelino Oyono NTUTUMU(since 15 June 2004); Deputy Prime Minister Ricardo Mangue ObamaNFUBEA (since 15 June 2004)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 December 2009);prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the presidentelection 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 Andrus ANSIP (since 12 April 2005)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister,approved by Parliamentelections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; ifa candidate does not secure two-thirds of the votes after threerounds of balloting in the Parliament, then an electoral assembly(made up of 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 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 to 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 Eero HEINALUOMA (since 24 September2005)cabinet: 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 Dominique DE VILLEPIN (since 31May 2005)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); note - MichelMATHIER leaves 30 July 2005, replaced by Jacques MICHAUT (actinghigh commissioner), until the arrival of Anne BOQUET in earlySeptember 2005head of government: President of the Territorial Government ofFrench Polynesia Oscar TEMARU (since 3 March 2005); President of theTerritorial Assembly Antony GEROS (since 9 May 2004)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 Ondimba (since 2December 1967)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 Ondimba reelected;percent of vote - El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba 66.6%, PierreMAMBOUNDOU 16.5%, Fr. Paul M'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;election last held 18 October 2001 (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 NOGHAIDELI (since 17 February 2005);note - the president is the chief of state and head of governmentfor the power ministries: state security (includes interior) anddefense; the prime minister is head of the remaining ministries ofgovernmentcabinet: 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 Karolos PAPOULIAS (since 12 March2005)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 2005 (next to be held by February2010); 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: Karolos PAPOULIAS elected president; number ofparlimentary votes, 279 out of 300
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 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 November 2007)election results: Oscar BERGER Perdomo elected president; percent ofvote - Oscar BERGER Perdomo (GANA) 54.1%, Alvarado 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 4December 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 heldDecember 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 May 2005); 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 December 1997)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 BENEDICT XVI (since 19April 2005)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 19 April 2005 (next to be held after the death ofthe current pope); secretary of state appointed by the popeelection results: Joseph RATZINGER elected Pope BENEDICT XVI
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 Donald TSANG (since 24 June 2005)cabinet: Executive Council consists of seven non-official membersand 14 official memberselections: previous chief executive TUNG Chee-hwa was elected tosecond five-year term in March 2002 by 800-member election committeedominated by pro-Beijing forces, resignation accepted 12 March 2005;Donald TSANG acted as chief executive between 12 March 2005 and 25May 2005; Henry TANG acted as chief executive between 25 May 2005and 24 June 2005; last election 16 June 2005 to fill final two yearsof TUNG's term (next to be held in June 2007)
Hungarychief of state: Laszlo SOLYOM (since 5 August 2005)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 6-7 June 2005 (next to be held byJune 2010); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on therecommendation of the president; election last held 29 September 2004election results: Laszlo SOLYOM elected president by a simplemajority in the third round of voting, 185 to 182; Ferenc GYURCSANYelected prime minister; result of legislative 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); following legislative elections, theleader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalitionis usually the prime ministerelection results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON wins with 85.6% of thevote, Baldur AGUSTSSON 12.5%, Astthor MAGNUSSON 1.9%
Indiachief of state: President A.P.J. Abdul KALAM (since 26 July2002); 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 July 2002 (nextto be held 18 July 2007); vice president elected by both houses ofParliament for a five-year term; election last held 12 August 2002(next to be held August 2007); prime minister chosen byparliamentary members of the majority party following legislativeelections; election last held April - May 2004 (next to be held May2009)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);cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president and vice president were elected for five-yearterms by direct vote of the citizenry; last held 20 September 2004(next to be held in September 2009)election results: Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO elected presidentreceiving 60.6% of vote; MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri received 39.4%
Iranchief of state: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI(since 4 June 1989)head of government: President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD (since 3 August2005) First Vice President Dr. Mohammad Reza AREF-Yazdi (since 26August 2001)cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president withlegislative approval; the Supreme Leader has some control overappointments to the more sensitive ministrieselections: leader of the Islamic Revolution appointed for life bythe Assembly of Experts; president elected by popular vote for afour-year term; election last held 17 June 2005 with a two-candidaterunoff on 24 June 2005 (next to be held NA 2009)election results: Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD elected president; percent ofvote - Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD 62%, Ali Akbar Hashemi RAFSANJANI 36%;note - 2% of ballots spoiled
Iraqchief of state: Iraqi Transitional Government (ITG) PresidentJalal TALABANI (since 6 April 2005); Deputy Presidents Adil AbdAL-MAHDI and Ghazi al-Ujayl al-YAWR (since 6 April 2005); note - thePresident and Deputy Presidents comprise the Presidency Council)head of government: Iraqi Transitional Government (ITG) PrimeMinister Ibrahim al-JAFARI (since April 2005); Deputy PrimeMinisters Rowsch SHAWAYS, Ahmad CHALABI, and Abid al-Mutlaqal-JABBURI (since May 2005)cabinet: 32 ministers appointed by the Presidency Council, plusPrime Minister Ibrahim al-JAFARI, Deputy Prime Ministers RowschSHAWAYS, Ahmad CHALABI, and Abid al-Mutlaq al-JABBURIelections: held 30 January 2005 to elect a 275-member TransitionalNational Assembly that will draft a permanent constitution and pavethe way for new national elections at the end of 2005
Irelandchief of state: President Mary MCALEESE (since 11 November1997)head of government: Prime Minister Bertie AHERN (since 26 June 1997)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with previous nominationby the prime minister and approval of the House of Representativeselections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;election last held 31 October 1997 (next scheduled for October2011); note - Mary MCALEESE appointed to a second term when no othercandidate qualified for the 2004 presidential election; primeminister nominated by the House of Representatives and appointed bythe presidentelection results: Mary MCALEESE elected president; percent of vote -Mary MCALEESE 44.8%, Mary BANOTTI 29.6%note: government coalition - Fianna Fail and the ProgressiveDemocrats
Israelchief of state: President Moshe KATZAV (since 31 July 2000)head of government: Prime Minister Ariel SHARON (since 7 March 2001)cabinet: Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by theKnessetelections: president is largely a ceremonial role and is elected bythe Knesset for a seven-year term; election last held 31 July 2000(next to be held mid-2007); following legislative elections, thepresident assigns a Knesset member - traditionally the leader of thelargest party - the task of forming a governing coalition; electionlast held 28 January 2003 (next scheduled to be held fall of 2006)election results: Moshe KATZAV elected president by the 120-memberKnesset with a total of 60 votes, other candidate, Shimon PERES,received 57 votes (there were three abstentions); Ariel SHARONcontinues as prime minister after Likud Party victory in January2003 Knesset elections; Likud won 38 seats and then formed coalitiongovernment with Shinui, the National Religious Party, and theNational Union
Italychief of state: President Carlo Azeglio CIAMPI (since 13 May1999)head of government: Prime Minister (referred to in Italy as thepresident of the Council of Ministers) Silvio BERLUSCONI (since 10June 2001)cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister andapproved by the presidentelections: president elected by an electoral college consisting ofboth houses of parliament and 58 regional representatives for aseven-year term; election last held 13 May 1999 (next to be held May2006); prime minister appointed by the president and confirmed byparliamentelection results: Carlo Azeglio CIAMPI elected president; percent ofelectoral college vote - 70%note: a four-party government coalition includes Forza Italia,National Alliance, Northern League, and Union of Christian Democratsand Center Democrats
Jamaicachief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General Sir Howard Felix COOKE (since 1August 1991)head of government: Prime Minister Percival James PATTERSON (since30 March 1992)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice ofthe prime ministerelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor generalappointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the primeminister; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or the leader of the majority coalition in the Houseof Representatives is appointed prime minister by the governorgeneral; the deputy prime minister is recommended by the primeminister
Japanchief of state: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989)head of government: Prime Minister Junichiro KOIZUMI (since 26 April2001)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime ministerelections: Diet designates prime minister; constitution requiresthat prime minister commands parliamentary majority; followinglegislative elections, leader of majority party or leader ofmajority coalition in House of Representatives usually becomes primeminister; KOIZUMI's term as leader of the LDP is scheduled to end inSeptember 2006; a new prime minister may be chosen at that time;monarch is hereditary
Jerseychief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)head of government: Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief AirChief Marshall Sir John CHESHIRE (since 24 January 2001) and BailiffPhilip Martin BAILHACHE (since NA February 1995)cabinet: committees appointed by the Assembly of the Stateselections: none; the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor andbailiff appointed by the monarch
Jordanchief of state: King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999);Prince HUSSEIN (born 1994), son of King ABDALLAH, is first in lineto inherit the thronehead of government: Prime Minister Adnan BADRAN (since 7 April2005); Deputy Prime Ministers Marwan al-MUASHER and Hisham al-TEL(since 3 July 2005)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister in consultationwith the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointedby the monarch
Kazakhstanchief of state: President Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV(chairman of the Supreme Soviet from 22 February 1990, electedpresident 1 December 1991)head of government: Prime Minister Daniyal AKHMETOV (since 13 June2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Akhmetzhan YESIMOV (since 14 May2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;election last held 10 January 1999, a year before it was previouslyscheduled (next to be held NA 2006); note - President NAZARBAYEV'sprevious term was extended to 2000 by a nationwide referendum held30 April 1995; prime minister and first deputy prime ministerappointed by the presidentelection results: Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV reelected president;percent of vote - Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV 81.7%, SerikbolsynABDILDIN 12.1%, Gani KASYMOV 4.7%, Engels GABBASSOV 1.5%note: President NAZARBAYEV arranged a referendum in 1995 thatexpanded his presidential powers: only he can initiateconstitutional amendments, appoint and dismiss the government,dissolve Parliament, call referenda at his discretion, and appointadministrative heads of regions and cities
Kenyachief of state: President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002)and Vice President Moody AWORI (since 25 September 2003); note - thepresident is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002)and Vice President Moody AWORI (since 25 September 2003); note - thepresident 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;in addition to receiving the largest number of votes in absoluteterms, the presidential candidate must also win 25% or more of thevote in at least five of Kenya's seven provinces and one area toavoid a runoff; election last held 27 December 2002 (next to be heldDecember 2007); vice president appointed by the presidentelection results: President Mwai KIBAKI elected; percent of vote -Mwai KIBAKI 63%, Uhuru KENYATTA 30%
Kiribatichief of state: President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003);Vice President Teima ONORIO; note - the president is both the chiefof state and head of governmenthead of government: President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003); VicePresident Teima ONORIO; note - the president is both the chief ofstate and head of governmentcabinet: 12-member Cabinet appointed by the president from among themembers of the House of Parliamentelections: the House of Parliament chooses the presidentialcandidates from among its members and then those candidates competein a general election; president is elected by popular vote for afour-year term; election last held 4 July 2003 (next to be held notlater than July 2007); vice president appointed by the presidentelection results: Anote TONG 47.4%, Harry TONG 43.5%, Banuera BERINA9.1%
Korea, Northchief of state: KIM Jong Il (since July 1994); note -on 3 September 2003, rubberstamp Supreme People's Assembly (SPA)reelected KIM Jong Il Chairman of the National Defense Commission, aposition accorded nation's "highest administrative authority"; SPAreelected KIM Yong Nam President of its Presidium also withresponsibility of representing state and receiving diplomaticcredentials; SPA appointed PAK Pong Ju Premierhead of government: Premier PAK Pong Ju (since 3 September 2003);Vice Premiers KWAK Pom Gi (since 5 September 1998), JON Sung Hun(since 3 September 2003), RO Tu Chol (since 3 September 2003)cabinet: Cabinet (Naegak), members, except for the Minister ofPeople's Armed Forces, are appointed by the SPAelections: election last held in September 2003 (next to be held inSeptember 2008)election results: KIM Jong Il and KIM Yong Nam were only nomineesfor positions and ran unopposed
Korea, Southchief of state: President ROH Moo-hyun (since 25February 2003)head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hae-chan (since 25 May 2004);Deputy Prime Ministers HAN Duck-soo (14 March 2005), KIM Jin-pyo(since 28 January 2005), and OH Myung (since 18 October 2004)cabinet: State Council appointed by the president on the primeminister's recommendationelections: president elected by popular vote for single five-yearterm; election last held 19 December 2002 (next to be held inFebruary 2008); prime minister appointed by president with consentof National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed by presidenton prime minister's recommendationelection results: results of the 19 December 2002 election - ROHMoo-hyun elected president; percent of vote - ROH Moo-hyun (MDP)48.9%; LEE Hoi-chang (GNP) 46.6%; other 4.5%
Kuwaitchief of state: Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since31 December 1977); Crown Prince SAAD al-Abdullah al-Salim al-Sabahhead of government: Prime Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah(since 13 July 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister ofthe Interior NAWWAF al-Ahmad al-Sabah (since 2003); Deputy PrimeMinisters JABIR MUBARAK al-Hamad al-Sabah (since 2001) and MuhammadDayfallah al-SHARAR (since 2003)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister andapproved by the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister anddeputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch
Kyrgyzstanchief of state: President Kurmanbek BAKIYEV (since 14August 2005); note - former President Askar AKAYEV resignedeffective 11 April 2005 following widespread protests that forcedhim to flee the country on 24 March 2005head of government: Prime Minister Feliks KULOV (since 1 September2005)cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president on therecommendation of the prime ministerelections: Kurmanbek BAKIYEV elected by popular vote for a five-yearterm; election last held 10 July 2005 (next scheduled for NA 2010);prime minister nominated by the president for approval by Parliamentelection results: Kurmanbek BAKIYEV elected president; percent ofvote - Kurmanbek BAKIYEV 88.6%, Tursunbai BAKIR-UULU 3.9%, othercandidates 7.5%; Feliks KULOV approved as prime minister 55-8
Laoschief of state: President Gen. KHAMTAI Siphadon (since 26February 1998) and Vice President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason(since 27 March 2001)head of government: Prime Minister BOUNGNANG Volachit (since 27March 2001); First Deputy Prime Minister Bouasone BOUPHAVANH (since3 October 2003) Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (sinceMay 2002), Deputy Prime Minister THONGLOUN Sisolit (since 27 March2001), and Deputy Prime Minister SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26February 1998)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approvedby the National Assemblyelections: president elected by the National Assembly for afive-year term; election last held 24 February 2002 (next to be heldin 2007); prime minister appointed by the president with theapproval of the National Assembly for a five-year termelection results: KHAMTAI Siphadon elected president; percent ofNational Assembly vote - NA%
Latviachief of state: President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July1999)head of government: Prime Minister Aigars KALVITIS (since 2 December2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister andappointed by the Parliamentelections: president reelected by Parliament for a four-year term;election last held 20 June 2003 (next to be held by June 2007);prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA reelected president;parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 88 of 94 votes cast
Lebanonchief of state: President Emile LAHUD (since 24 November1998)head of government: Prime Minister Fuad SINIORA (since 30 June2005); Deputy Prime Minister Elias MURR (since April 2005)cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation withthe president and members of the National Assemblyelections: president elected by the National Assembly for a six-yearterm; election last held 15 October 1998 (next election date NA);note - on 3 September 2004 the National Assembly voted 96 to 29 toextend Emile LAHUD's six-year term by three years; the primeminister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president inconsultation with the National Assembly; by agreement, the presidentis a Maronite Christian, the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim, andthe speaker of the legislature is a Shia Muslimelection results: for 15 October 1998 election: Emile LAHUD electedpresident; National Assembly vote - 118 votes in favor, 0 against,10 abstentions
Lesothochief of state: King LETSIE III (since 7 February 1996);note - King LETSIE III formerly occupied the throne from November1990 to February 1995, while his father was in exilehead of government: Prime Minister Pakalitha MOSISILI (since 23 May1998)cabinet: Cabinetelections: none; according to the constitution, the leader of themajority party in the Assembly automatically becomes prime minister;the monarch is hereditary, but, under the terms of the constitution,which came into effect after the March 1993 election, the monarch isa "living symbol of national unity" with no executive or legislativepowers; under traditional law the college of chiefs has the power todetermine who is next in the line of succession, who shall serve asregent in the event that the successor is not of mature age, and mayeven depose the monarch
Liberiachief of state: Chairman Gyude BRYANT (since 14 October2003); note - this is an interim position until presidentialelections in 2005; the chairman is both the chief of state and headof governmenthead of government: Chairman Gyude BRYANT (since 14 October 2003);note - this is an interim position until presidential elections in2005; the chairman is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president and confirmed by theSenate; note - current cabinet positions are divided among groupsparticipating in the Liberian peace processelections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term(renewable); election last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held 11October 2005)election results: Charles Ghankay TAYLOR elected president; percentof vote - Charles Ghankay TAYLOR (NPP) 75.3%, Ellen Johnson SIRLEAF(UP) 9.6%, Alhaji KROMAH (ALCOP) 4%, other 11.1%; note - TAYLORstepped down in August 2003note: a UN-brokered cease-fire among warring factions and theLiberian government resulted in the August 2003 resignation offormer president Charles TAYLOR; a jointly agreed upon replacement,Chairman Gyude BRYANT, assumed office as head of the NationalTransitional Government on 14 October 2003
Libyachief of state: Revolutionary Leader Col. Muammar Abu Minyaral-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969); note - holds no official title,but is de facto chief of statehead of government: Secretary of the General People's Committee(Prime Minister) Shukri Muhammad GHANIM (since 14 June 2003)cabinet: General People's Committee established by the GeneralPeople's Congresselections: national elections are indirect through a hierarchy ofpeople's committees; head of government elected by the GeneralPeople's Congress; election last held 2 March 2000 (next to be heldNA)election results: NA
Liechtensteinchief of state: Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November1989, assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent PrinceALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968); note - on 15 August2004, HANS ADAM transferred the official duties of the ruling princeto ALOIS, but HANS ADAM retains status of chief of statehead of government: Head of Government Ottmar HASLER (since 5 April2001) and Deputy Head of Government Rita KIEBER-BECK (since 5 April2001)cabinet: Cabinet elected by the parliament, confirmed by the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislativeelections, the leader of the majority party in the Landtag isusually appointed the head of government by the monarch and theleader of the largest minority party in the Landtag is usuallyappointed the deputy head of government by the monarch
Lithuaniachief of state: President Valdas ADAMKUS (since 12 July2004)head of government: Premier Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS (since 3July 2001)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on thenomination of the premierelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 13 June 2004 and 27 June 2004 (next to be heldJune 2009); premier appointed by the president on the approval ofthe Parliamentelection results: Valdas ADAMKUS elected president; percent of vote- Valdas ADAMKUS 52.2%, Kazimiera PRUNSKIENE 47.8%
Luxembourgchief of state: Grand Duke HENRI (since 7 October 2000);Heir Apparent Prince GUILLAUME (son of the monarch, born 11 November1981)head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER (since 1January 1995) and Vice Prime Minister Jean ASSELBORN (since 31 July2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister andappointed by the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following popularelections to the Chamber of Deputies, the leader of the majorityparty or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointedprime minister by the monarch; the deputy prime minister isappointed by the monarch; they are responsible to the Chamber ofDeputiesnote: government coalition - CSV and LSAP
Macauchief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March2003)head of government: Chief Executive Edmund HO Hau-wah (since 20December 1999)cabinet: Executive Council consists of one government secretary,four legislators, four businessmen, and one pro-Beijing unionistelections: chief executive chosen by a 300-member Election Committeefor up to two five-year termselection results: Edmund HO Hau-wah reelected on 29 August 2004;received 296 votes in Election Committee out of 300 possible; 3members submitted blank ballots; 1 member was absent
Macedoniachief of state: President Branko CRVENKOVSKI (since 12 May2004)head of government: Prime Minister Vlado BUCKOVSKI (since 17December 2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of allthe deputies in the Assembly; note - current cabinet formed by thegovernment coalition parties SDSM, LDP, and BDIelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;two-round election last held 14 April and 28 April 2004 (next to beheld April 2009); prime minister elected by the Assembly; electionlast held 1 November 2002 (next to be held NA 2006)election results: Branko CRVENKOVSKI elected president onsecond-round ballot; percent of vote - Branko CRVENKOVSKI 62.7%,Sasko KEDEV 37.3%; Vlado BUCKOVSKI elected prime minister by theAssembly
Madagascarchief of state: President Marc RAVALOMANANA (since 6 May2002)head of government: Prime Minister Jacques SYLLA (27 May 2002)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 16 December 2001 (next to be held November 2006);prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: percent of vote - Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 37.7%,Marc RAVALOMANANA (TIM) 50.5%
Malawichief of state: President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (since 24 May2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (since 24 May2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: 46-member Cabinet named by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 20 May 2004 (next to be held May 2009)election results: Bingu wa MUTHARIKA elected president; percent ofvote - Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (UDF) 35.9%, John TEMBO (MCP) 27.1%,Gwandaguluwe CHAKUAMBA (MC) 25.7%, Brown MPINGANJIRA (NDA) 8.7%,Justin MALEWEZI (independent) 2.5%
Malaysiachief of state: Paramount Ruler Tuanku SYED SIRAJUDDIN ibniAlmarhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, the Raja of Perlis (since 12December 2001)head of government: Prime Minister ABDULLAH bin Ahmad Badawi (since31 October 2003); Deputy Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin AbdulRazak (since 7 January 2004)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among themembers of Parliament with consent of the paramount rulerelections: paramount ruler elected by and from the hereditary rulersof nine of the states for five-year terms; election last held 12December 2001 (next to be held in 2006); prime minister designatedfrom among the members of the House of Representatives; followinglegislative elections, the leader of the party that wins a pluralityof seats in the House of Representatives becomes prime ministerelection results: Tuanku SYED SIRAJUDDIN ibni Almarhum Tuanku SyedPutra Jamalullail elected paramount ruler
Maldiveschief of state: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmentcabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president nominated by the Majlis and then the nominationmust be ratified by a national referendum (at least a 51% approvalmargin is required); president elected for a five-year term;election last held 17 October 2003 (next to be held NA 2008)election results: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected inreferendum held 17 October 2003; percent of popular vote - MaumoonAbdul GAYOOM 90.3%
Malichief of state: President Amadou Toumani TOURE (since 8 June2002)head of government: Prime Minister Ousmane Issoufi MAIGA (since 30April 2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(two-term limit); election last held 12 May 2002 (next to be heldMay 2007); prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: Amadou Toumani TOURE elected president; percent ofvote - Amadou Toumani TOURE 64.4%, Soumaila CISSE 35.6%
Maltachief of state: President Eddie FENECH ADAMI (since 4 April2004)head of government: Prime Minister Lawrence GONZI (since 23 March2004)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of theprime ministerelections: president elected by the House of Representatives for afive-year term; election last held 29 March 2004 (next to be held byApril 2009); following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or leader of a majority coalition is usuallyappointed prime minister by the president for a five-year term; thedeputy prime minister is appointed by the president on the advice ofthe prime ministerelection results: Eddie FENECH ADAMI elected president; percent ofHouse of Representatives vote - 33 out of 65 votes
Man, Isle ofchief of state: Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Ian MACFADYEN(since 26 October 2002)head of government: Chief Minister Donald GELLING (since 14 December2004)cabinet: Council of Ministerselections: the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointedby the monarch for a five-year term; the Chief Minister is electedby the Tynwald; election last held 14 December 2004 (next to be heldDecember 2010)election results: Donald GELLING elected chief minister by theTynwald; note - Richard CORKILL resigned 2 December 2004
Marshall Islandschief of state: President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 5January 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 5 January2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members ofParliamentelections: president elected by Parliament from among its ownmembers for a four-year term; election last held 17 November 2003(next to be held November 2007)election results: Kessai Hesa NOTE elected president; percent ofParliament vote - 100%
Martiniquechief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since17 May 1995); Prefect Yves DASSONVILLE (since 14 January 2004); note- took office 8 February 2004head of government: President of the General Council Claude LISE(since 22 March 1992); President of the Regional Council AlfredMARIE-JEANNE (since NA March 1998)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 councils
Mauritaniachief of state: President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA(since 12 December 1984); note - President TAYA deposed in a coup bythe Military Council for Justice and Democracy led by Col. Ely OuldMohamed VALL on 3 August 2005head of government: Prime Minister Sidi Mohamed Ould BOUBAKAR (since8 August 2005)cabinet: Council of Ministerselections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;election last held 7 November 2003 (next to be held NA 2009); primeminister appointed by the presidentelection results: President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA reelectedfor a third term with 60.8% of the vote
Mauritiuschief of state: President Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 7October 2003) and Vice President Abdool Raouf BUNDHUN (since 25February 2002)head of government: Prime Minister Paul BERENGER (since 30 September2003)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on therecommendation of the prime ministerelections: president and vice president elected by the NationalAssembly for five-year terms; election last held 25 February 2002(next to be held NA 2007); prime minister and deputy prime ministerappointed by the president, responsible to the National Assemblyelection results: Karl OFFMANN elected president and Raouf BUNDHUNelected vice president; percent of vote by the National Assembly -NA%; note - Karl OFFMANN stepped down on 30 September 2003
Mayottechief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17May 1995), represented by Prefect Jean-Paul KIHL (since 17 January2005)head of government: President of the General Council Said Omar OILI(since NA 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 the Interior; president of the General Councilelected by the members of the General Council for a six-year term
Mexicochief of state: President Vicente FOX Quesada (since 1December 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Vicente FOX Quesada (since 1 December2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; note - appointment ofattorney general requires consent of the Senateelections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;election last held 2 July 2000 (next to be held 2 July 2006)election results: Vicente FOX Quesada elected president; percent ofvote - Vicente FOX Quesada (PAN) 42.52%, Francisco LABASTIDA Ochoa(PRI) 36.1%, Cuauhtemoc CARDENAS Solorzano (PRD) 16.64%, other 4.74%
Micronesia, Federated States ofchief of state: President Joseph J.URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003); Vice President Redley KILLION (11 May2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May2003); Vice President Redley KILLION (11 May 2003); note - thepresident is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinetelections: president and vice president elected by Congress fromamong the four senators at large for four-year terms; election lastheld 11 May 2003 (next to be held May 2007); note - a proposedconstitutional amendment to establish popular elections forpresident and vice president failedelection results: Joseph J. URUSEMAL elected president; percent ofCongress vote - NA%; Redley KILLION elected vice president; percentof Congress vote - NA%
Moldovachief of state: President Vladimir VORONIN (since 4 April2001)head of government: Prime Minister Vasile TARLEV (since 15 April2001), First Deputy Prime Minister Vasile IOVV (since 29 January2002)cabinet: selected by president, subject to approval of Parliamentelections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term;election last held 4 April 2005 (next to be held NA 2009); note -prime minister designated by the president, upon consultation withParliament; within 15 days from designation, the primeminister-designate must request a vote of confidence from theParliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet; primeminister designated 15 April 2001, cabinet received a vote ofconfidence 19 April 2001election results: Vladimir VORONIN reelected president;parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 75, Gheorghe DUCA 1; VasileTARLEV designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of confidence- 75 of 101
Monacochief of state: Prince ALBERT II (since 6 April 2005)head of government: Minister of State Jean-Paul PROUST (since 1 June2005)cabinet: Council of Government is under the authority of the monarchelections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; minister of stateappointed by the monarch from a list of three French nationalcandidates presented by the French Government
Mongoliachief of state: President Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR (since 24 June2005)head of government: Prime Minister Tsakhi ELBEGDORJ (since 20 August2004); Deputy Prime Minister Chultem ULAAN (since 28 September 2004)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the State Great Hural (parliament) inconsultation with the presidentelections: presidential candidates nominated by political partiesrepresented in State Great Hural and elected by popular vote for afour-year term; presidential tenure limited to two four-year terms;election last held 22 May 2005 (next to be held in May 2009);following legislative elections, leader of majority party ormajority coalition is usually elected prime minister by State GreatHuralelection results: Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR elected president; percent ofvote - Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR (MPRP) 53.44%, Mendsaikhanin ENKHSAIKHAN(DP) 20.05%, Bazarsadyn JARGALSAIKHAN (MRP) 13.92%, BadarchynERDENEBAT (M-MNSDP) 12.59%; Tsakhi ELBEGDORJ elected prime ministerby the State Great Hural 74 to 0
Montserratchief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February1952), represented by Governor Deborah BARNES-JONES (since 10 May2004)head of government: Chief Minister John OSBORNE (since 5 April 2001)cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, the chiefminister, three other ministers, the attorney general, and thefinance secretaryelections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by themonarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majorityparty usually becomes chief minister
Moroccochief of state: King MOHAMED VI (since 30 July 1999)head of government: Prime Minister Driss JETTOU (since 9 October2002)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointedby the monarch following legislative elections
Mozambiquechief of state: President Armando GUEBUZA (since 2February 2005)head of government: Prime Minister Luisa DIOGO (since 17 February2004)cabinet: Cabinetelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 1-2 December 2004 (next to be held December2009); prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: Armando GUEBUZA elected president; percent of vote- Armando GUEBUZA 63.7%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 31.7%
Namibiachief of state: President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since 15November 2004)head of government: Prime Minister Nahas ANGULA (since 21 March 2005)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the membersof the National Assemblyelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 15 November 2004 (next to be held November 2009)election results: Hifikepunye POHAMBA elected president; percent ofvote - NA%
Nauruchief of state: President Ludwig SCOTTY (since 26 October2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Ludwig SCOTTY (since 26 October 2004);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the membersof Parliamentelections: president elected by Parliament for a three-year term;election last held 23 October 2004 (next to be held NA 2007)election results: Ludwig SCOTTY was unopposed in the parliamentaryelections for president
Nepalchief of state: King GYANENDRA Bir Bikram Shah (succeeded tothe throne 4 June 2001 following the death of his nephew, KingDIPENDRA Bir Bikram Shah)head of government: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur DEUBA; note - thePrime Minister resigned in Februrary 2005cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch on the recommendation ofthe prime minister; note - the King dissolved the Cabinet inFebruary 2005elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislativeelections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majoritycoalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarchnote: King BIRENDRA Bir Bikram Shah Dev died in a bloody shooting atthe royal palace on 1 June 2001 that also claimed the lives of mostof the royal family; King BIRENDRA's son, Crown Price DIPENDRA, isbelieved to have been responsible for the shootings before fatallywounding himself; immediately following the shootings and whilestill clinging to life, DIPENDRA was crowned king; he died threedays later and was succeeded by his uncle