Netherlandschief of state: Queen BEATRIX (since 30 April 1980);Heir Apparent WILLEM-ALEXANDER (born 27 April 1967), son of themonarchhead of government: Prime Minister Jan Peter BALKENENDE (since 22July 2002) and Deputy Prime Ministers Gerrit ZALM (since 27 May2003) and Laurens Jan BRINKHORST (since 31 March 2005)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarchelections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following SecondChamber elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of amajority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by themonarch; vice prime ministers appointed by the monarchnote: there is also a Council of State composed of the monarch, heirapparent, and councilors that provides consultations to the cabineton legislative and administrative policy
Netherlands Antilleschief of state: Queen BEATRIX of theNetherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor GeneralFrits GOEDGEDRAG (since 1 July 2002)head of government: Prime Minister Etienne YS (since 3 June 2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten (legislature)elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed bythe monarch for a six-year term; following legislative elections,the leader of the majority party is usually elected prime ministerby the Staten; election last held 18 January 2002 (next to be heldby NA 2006)note: government coalition - PAR, PNP, PLKP, DP St. Maarten, UPBonaire, WIPM Saba, DP Statia
New Caledoniachief of state: President of France Jacques CHIRAC(since 17 May 1995), represented by High Commissioner Michel MATHIEU(since 15 July 2005)head of government: President of the Government Marie-NoelleTHEMEREAU (since 10 June 2004)cabinet: Consultative Committeeelections: 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 thegovernment elected by the members of the Territorial Congress; note- last election held 29 June 2004 when Marie-Noelle THEMEREAU waselected on the third vote with 8 votes for and 3 abstentions
New Zealandchief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February1952), represented by Governor General Dame Silvia CARTWRIGHT (since4 April 2001)head of government: Prime Minister Helen CLARK (since 10 December1999) and Deputy Prime Minister Michael CULLEN (since NA July 2002)cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor general on therecommendation of the prime ministerelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor generalappointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, theleader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalitionis usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputyprime minister appointed by the governor general
Nicaraguachief of state: President Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (since 10January 2002); Vice President Jose RIZO Castellon (since 10 January2002); note - the president is both chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (since 10January 2002); Vice President Jose RIZO Castellon (since 10 January2002); note - the president is both chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 4 November2001 (next to be held by November 2006)election results: Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (PLC) elected president -56.3%, Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 42.3%, Alberto SABORIO (PCN)1.4%; Jose RIZO Castellon elected vice president
Nigerchief of state: President TANDJA Mamadou (since 22 December1999); note - the president is both chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President TANDJA Mamadou (since 22 December1999); note - the president is both chief of state and head ofgovernment; Prime Minister Hama AMADOU (since 31 December 1999) wasappointed by the president and shares some executiveresponsibilities with the presidentcabinet: 27-member Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;second round last held 4 December 2004 (next to be held December2009); prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: TANDJA Mamadou reelected president; percent ofvote - TANDJA Mamadou 65.5%, Mahamadou ISSOUFOU 34.5%
Nigeriachief of state: President Olusegun OBASANJO (since 29 May1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Olusegun OBASANJO (since 29 May 1999);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Federal Executive Councilelections: president is elected by popular vote for no more than twofour-year terms; election last held 19 April 2003 (next to be heldNA 2007)election results: Olusegun OBASANJO elected president; percent ofvote - Olusegun OBASANJO (PDP) 61.9%, Muhammadu BUHARI (ANPP) 31.2%,Chukwuemeka Odumegwu OJUKWU (APGA) 3.3%, other 3.6%
Niuechief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); theUK and New Zealand are represented by New Zealand High CommissionerJohn BRYAN (since NA May 2000)head of government: Premier Young VIVIAN (since 1 May 2002)cabinet: Cabinet consists of the premier and three ministerselections: the monarch is hereditary; premier elected by theLegislative Assembly for a three-year term; election last held 12May 2005 (next to be held May 2008)election results: Young VIVIAN reelected premier; percent ofLegislative Assembly vote - Young VIVIAN (NPP) 85%, O'Love JACOBSEN(independent) 15%
Norfolk Islandchief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February1952); the UK and Australia are represented by Administrator GrantTAMBLING (since 1 November 2003)head of government: Assembly President and Chief Minister GeoffreyRobert GARDNER (since 5 December 2001)cabinet: Executive Council is made up of four of the nine members ofthe Legislative Assembly; the council devises government policy andacts as an advisor to the administratorelections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by thegovernor general of Australia; chief minister elected by theLegislative Assembly for a term of not more than three years;election last held 20 Ocotber 2004 (next to be held by December 2007)election results: Geoffrey Robert GARDNER elected chief minister;percent of Legislative Assembly vote - 17.2%
Northern Mariana Islandschief of state: President George W. BUSH ofthe US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY(since 20 January 2001)head of government: Governor Juan N. BABAUTA (since 14 January2002); Lieutenant Governor Diego T. BENAVENTE (since 14 January 2002)cabinet: NAelections: US president and vice president elected on the sameticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor electedon the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; electionlast held 3 November 2001 (next to be held November 2005)election results: Juan N. BABAUTA elected governor in a four-wayrace; percent of vote - Juan N. BABAUTA (Republican Party) 42.8%
Norwaychief of state: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); HeirApparent Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS, son of the monarch (born 20July 1973)head of government: Prime Minister Jens STOLTENBERG (since 17October 2005)cabinet: State Council appointed by the monarch with the approval ofparliamentelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following parliamentaryelections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of themajority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by themonarch with the approval of the parliament
Omanchief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Saidal-Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chiefof state and head of governmenthead of government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Saidal-Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chiefof state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary
Pakistannote: following a military takeover on 12 October 1999,Chief of Army Staff and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of StaffCommittee, General Pervez MUSHARRAF, suspended Pakistan'sconstitution and assumed the additional title of Chief Executive; on12 May 2000, Pakistan's Supreme Court unanimously validated theOctober 1999 coup and granted MUSHARRAF executive and legislativeauthority for three years from the coup date; on 20 June 2001,MUSHARRAF named himself as president and was sworn in, replacingMohammad Rafiq TARAR; in a referendum held on 30 April 2002,MUSHARRAF's presidency was extended by five more years; on 1 January2004, MUSHARRAF won a vote of confidence in the Senate, NationalAssembly, and four provincial assemblieschief of state: President General Pervez MUSHARRAF (since 20 June2001)head of government: Prime Minister Shaukat AZIZ (since 28 August2004)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime ministerelections: the president is elected by Parliament for a five-yearterm; note - in a referendum held on 30 April 2002, MUSHARRAF'spresidency was extended by five more years (next to be held NA2007); the prime minister is selected by the National Assembly for afive-year term (next to be held NA 2007)election results: AZIZ elected by the National Assembly on 27 August2004 with 191 of the votes
Palauchief of state: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since19 January 2001) and Vice President Camsek CHIN (since 1 January2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19January 2001) and Vice President Camsek CHIN (since 1 January 2005);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Cabinetelections: president and vice president elected on separate ticketsby popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 2 November2004 (next to be held November 2008)election results: Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. reelected president;percent of vote - Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. 64%, Polycarp BASILIUS33%; Elias Camsek CHIN elected vice president; percent of vote -Elias Camsek CHIN 70%, Sandra PIERANTOZZI 29%
Panamachief of state: President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1September 2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1September 2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since1 September 2004); note - the president is both the chief of stateand head of governmenthead of government: President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1September 2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1September 2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since1 September 2004); note - the president is both the chief of stateand head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticketby popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 2 May 2004(next to be held 3 May 2009); note - beginning in 2009, Panama willhave only one vice president.election results: Martin TORRIJOS Espino elected president; percentof vote - Martin TORRIJOS Espino 47.5%, Guillermo ENDARA Galimany30.6%, Jose Miguel ALEMAN 17%, Ricardo MARTINELLI 4.9%note: government coalition - PRD (Democratic Revolutionary Party),PP (Popular Party)
Papua New Guineachief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6February 1952), represented by governor general Sir Paulius MATANE(since 29 June 2004)head of government: Prime Minister Sir Michael SOMARE (since 2August 2002); deputy prime minister (vacant)cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governorgeneral on the recommendation of the prime ministerelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor generalappointed by the National Executive Council; following legislativeelections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of themajority coalition usually is appointed prime minister by thegovernor general
Paraguaychief of state: President Nicanor DUARTE Frutos (since 15August 2003); Vice President Luis CASTIGLIONI Joria (since 15 August2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Nicanor DUARTE Frutos (since 15 August2003); Vice President Luis CASTIGLIONI Joria (since 15 August 2003);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the presidentelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 27 April2003 (next to be held April 2008)election results: Nicanor DUARTE Frutos elected president; percentof vote - Nicanor DUARTE Frutos 37.1%, Julio Cesar Ramon FRANCOGomez 23.9%, Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella 21.3%, GuillermoSANCHEZ Guffanti 13.5%, other 4.2%
Peruchief of state: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique (since 28July 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and headof government; additionally, the constitution provides for two vicepresidents, First Vice President (vacant) and Second Vice PresidentDavid WAISMAN Rjavinsthi (since 28 July 2001)head of government: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique (since 28July 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and headof government; additionally, the constitution provides for two vicepresidents, First Vice President (vacant) and Second Vice PresidentDavid WAISMAN Rjavinsthi (since 28 July 2001)note: Prime Minister Pedro Pablo KUCZYNSKI (since 25 August 2005)does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands of thepresidentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;special presidential and congressional elections held 8 April 2001,with runoff election held 3 June 2001; next to be held 9 April 2006election results: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique electedpresident in runoff election; percent of vote - Alejandro TOLEDOManrique 53.1%, Alan GARCIA 46.9%
Philippineschief of state: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since20 January 2001); note - president is both chief of state and headof governmenthead of government: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20January 2001)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with consent ofCommission of Appointmentselections: president and vice president (Manuel "Noli" DE CASTRO)elected on separate tickets by popular vote for six-year terms;election last held 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2010)election results: results of the election - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYOelected president; percent of vote - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO 40%,Fernando POE 37%, three others 23%
Pitcairn Islandschief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6February 1952), represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealandand Governor (nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands Richard FELL(since NA December 2001); Commissioner (nonresident) Leslie JAQUES(since September 2003); serves as liaison between the governor andthe Island Councilhead of government: Governor Richard FELL; mayor and chairman of theIsland Council Jay WARREN (since 15 December 2004)cabinet: NAelections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner andcommissioner appointed by the monarch; island mayor elected bypopular vote for a three-year term; election last held December 2004(next to be held December 2007)election results: Jay WARREN elected mayor and chairman of theIsland Council
Polandchief of state: President Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI (since 23December 1995)head of government: Prime Minister Marek BELKA (since 24 June 2004);Deputy Prime Minister Izabela JARUGA-NOWACKA (since 24 June 2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the prime minister andthe Sejm; the prime minister proposes, the president appoints, andthe Sejm approves the Council of Ministerselections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 8 October 2000 (next to be held October 2005);prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the presidentand confirmed by the Sejmelection results: Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI reelected president;percent of popular vote - Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI 53.9%, AndrzejOLECHOWSKI 17.3%, Marian KRZAKLEWSKI 15.6%, Lech WALESA 1%
Portugalchief of state: President Jorge SAMPAIO (since 9 March 1996)head of government: Prime Minister Jose SOCRATES (since 12 March2005)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on therecommendation of the prime ministernote: there is also a Council of State that acts as a consultativebody to the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 14 January 2001 (next to be held January 2006);following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party orleader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime ministerby the presidentelection results: Jorge SAMPAIO reelected president; percent of vote- Jorge SAMPAIO (Socialist) 55.8%, Joaquim FERREIRA Do Amaral(Social Democrat) 34.5%, Antonio ABREU (Communist) 5.1%
Puerto Ricochief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US(since 20 January 2001)head of government: Governor Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA (since 2 January2005)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of thelegislatureelections: US president and vice president elected on the sameticket for four-year terms; governor elected by popular vote for afour-year term; election last held 2 November 2004 (next to be heldNovember 2008)election results: Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA (PPD) elected governor;percent of vote - 48.4%
Qatarchief of state: Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani (since 27 June1995 when, as crown prince, he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA binHamad al-Thani, in a bloodless coup); Crown Prince TAMIM bin Hamadbin Khalifa al-Thani, third son of the monarch (selected HeirApparent by the monarch on 5 August 2003); note - Amir HAMAD alsoholds the positions of Minister of Defense and Commander-in-chief ofthe Armed Forceshead of government: Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Khalifa al-Thani,brother of the monarch (since 30 October 1996); Deputy PrimeMinister MUHAMMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani, brother of the monarch(since 20 January 1998); First Deputy Prime Minister HAMAD bin JASIMbin JABIR al-Thani (since 16 September 2003; also Foreign Ministersince 1992); Second Deputy Prime Minister Abdallah bin Hamadal-ATTIYAH (since 16 September 2003; also Energy Minister since NA1992)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditarynote: in April 2003, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-memberCentral Municipal Council (CMC), which has consultative powers aimedat improving the provision of municipal services; the first electionfor the CMC was held in March 1999
Reunionchief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17May 1995), represented by Prefect Laurent CAYREL (since 16 July 2005)head of government: President of the General Council Jean-LucPOUDROUX (since NA March 1998) and President of the Regional CouncilPaul VERGES (since NA March 1993)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; the presidents of the General andRegional Councils are elected by the members of those councils
Romaniachief of state: President Traian BASESCU (since 20 December2004)head of government: Prime Minister Calin Popescu-TARICEANU (since 29December 2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 28 November 2004, with runoff between the top twocandidates held 12 December 2004 (next to be held 28 November 2009and 12 December 2009); prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: percent of vote - Traian BASESCU 51.23%, AdrianNASTASE 48.77%
Russiachief of state: President Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN(acting president since 31 December 1999, president since 7 May 2000)head of government: Premier Mikhail Yefimovich FRADKOV (since 5March 2004); Deputy Premier Aleksandr Dmitriyevich ZHUKOV (since 9March 2004)cabinet: Ministries of the Government or "Government" composed ofthe premier and his deputy, ministers, and selected otherindividuals; all are appointed by the presidentnote: there is also a Presidential Administration (PA) that providesstaff and policy support to the president, drafts presidentialdecrees, and coordinates policy among government agencies; aSecurity Council also reports directly to the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term;election last held 14 March 2004 (next to be held March 2008); note- no vice president; if the president dies in office, cannotexercise his powers because of ill health, is impeached, or resigns,the premier succeeds him; the premier serves as acting presidentuntil a new presidential election is held, which must be withinthree months; premier appointed by the president with the approvalof the Dumaelection results: Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN reelected president;percent of vote - Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN 71.2%, NikolayKHARITONOV 13.7%, other (no candidate above 5%) 15.1%
Rwandachief of state: President Paul KAGAME (since 22 April 2000)head of government: Prime Minister Bernard MAKUZA (since 8 March2000)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: last held 25 August 2003 (next to be held NA 2008)election results: Paul KAGAME elected president in first directpopular vote; Paul KAGAME 95.05%, Faustin TWAGIRAMUNGU 3.62%,Jean-Nepomuscene NAYINZIRA 1.33%
Saint Helenachief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February1952)head of government: Governor and Commander in Chief Michael CLANCY(since 15 October 2004)cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, two ex officioofficers, and six elected members of the Legislative Councilelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor is appointed bythe monarch
Saint Kitts and Nevischief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6February 1952), represented by Governor General Cuthbert MontravilleSEBASTIAN (since 1 January 1996)head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS (since 6 July1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Sam CONDOR (since 6 July 1995)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general in consultationwith the prime ministerelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general isappointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, theleader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition isusually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputyprime minister appointed by the governor general
Saint Luciachief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February1952), represented by Governor General Dame Pearlette LOUISY (sinceSeptember 1997)head of government: Prime Minister Kenneth Davis ANTHONY (since 24May 1997) and Deputy Prime Minister Mario MICHEL (since 24 May 1997)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice ofthe prime ministerelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general isappointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, theleader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalitionis usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputyprime minister appointed by the governor general
Saint Pierre and Miquelonchief of state: President Jacques CHIRACof France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Albert DUPUY(since 10 January 2005)head of government: President of the General Council MarcPLANTAGENEST (since NA)cabinet: NAelections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-yearterm; election last held, first round - 21 April 2002, second round- 5 May 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); prefect appointed by theFrench president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior;president of the General Council is elected by the members of thecouncil
Saint Vincent and the Grenadineschief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II(since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General SirFredrick Nathaniel BALLANTYNE (since 2 September 2002)head of government: Prime Minister Ralph E. GONSALVES (since 29March 2001)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice ofthe prime ministerelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general isappointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, theleader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister bythe governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by thegovernor general on the advice of the prime minister
Samoachief of state: Chief Tanumafili II MALIETOA (cochief of statefrom 1 January 1962 until becoming sole chief of state 5 April 1963)head of government: Prime Minister Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA(since 1996); note - TUILA'EPA served as deputy prime minister from1992 and assumed the duties of acting prime minister in 1996, whenformer Prime Minister TOFILAU Eti Alesana resigned in poor health;TUILA'EPA was confirmed as prime minister (November 1998) afterTOFILAU died; Deputy Prime Minister MISA Telefoni (since 2001)cabinet: Cabinet consists of 12 members, appointed by the chief ofstate on the prime minister's adviceelections: upon the death of Chief Tanumafili II MALIETOA, a newchief of state will be elected by the Legislative Assembly to servea five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party is usually appointed prime minister by the chief ofstate with the approval of the Legislative Assembly
San Marinochief of state: cochiefs of state Captain Regent ClaudioMUCCIOLI and Captain Regent Antonello BACCIOCHI (for the period 1October 2005 - 31 March 2006)head of government: Secretary of State for Foreign and PoliticalAffairs Fabio BERARDI (15 December 2003)cabinet: Congress of State elected by the Great and General Councilfor a five-year termelections: cochiefs of state (captains regent) elected by the Greatand General Council for a six-month term; election last held NASeptember 2005 (next to be held March 2006); secretary of state forforeign and political affairs elected by the Great and GeneralCouncil for a five-year term; election last held 13 December 2003(next to be held June 2006 when general elections are scheduled)election results: Claudio MUCCIOLI and Antonello BACCIOCHI electedcaptains regent; percent of legislative vote - NA%; Fabio BERARDIelected secretary of state for foreign and political affairs;percent of legislative vote - NA%note: the popularly elected parliament (Grand and General Council)selects two of its members to serve as the Captains Regent (cochiefsof state) for a six-month period; they preside over meetings of theGrand and General Council and its cabinet (Congress of State), whichhas 10 other members, all selected by the Grand and General Council;assisting the captains regent are 10 secretaries of state; thesecretary of state for Foreign Affairs has assumed some of theprerogatives of a prime minister
Sao Tome and Principechief of state: President Fradique DE MENEZES(since 3 September 2001)head of government: Prime Minister Maria do Carmo SILVEIRA (since 7June 2005); Damiao Vaz DE ALMEIDA resigned 2 June 2005cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on theproposal of the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 29 July 2001 (next to be held July 2006); primeminister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by thepresidentelection results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president in SaoTome's third multiparty presidential election; percent of vote - NA%
Saudi Arabiachief of state: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH binAbd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Heir Apparent CrownPrince SULTAN bin Abd al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother of the monarch,born 5 January 1928) note - the monarch is both the chief of stateand head of governmenthead of government: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-AzizAl Saud (since 1 August 2005); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SULTAN binAbd al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother of the monarch, born 5 January1928) note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch andincludes many royal family memberselections: note - in October 2003, Council of Ministers announcedits intent to introduce elections for half of the members of localand provincial assemblies and a third of the members of the nationalConsultative Council or Majlis al-Shura, incrementally over a periodof four to five years; in November 2004, the Ministry of Municipaland Rural Affairs initiated voter registration for partial municipalcouncil elections scheduled nationwide for February through April2005
Senegalchief of state: President Abdoulaye WADE (since 1 April 2000)head of government: Prime Minister Macky SALL (since 21 April 2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister inconsultation with the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year termunder new constitution; election last held under prior constitution(seven-year terms) 27 February and 19 March 2000 (next to be heldFebruary 2007); prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: Abdoulaye WADE elected president; percent of votein the second round of voting - Abdoulaye WADE (PDS) 58.49%, AbdouDIOUF (PS) 41.51%
Serbia and Montenegrochief of state: President Svetozar MAROVIC(since 7 March 2003); note - the president is both the chief ofstate and head of governmenthead of government: President Svetozar MAROVIC (since 7 March 2003);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Federal Ministries act as Cabinetelections: president elected by the parliament for a four-year term;election last held 7 March 2003 (next to be held 2007)election results: Svetozar MAROVIC elected president by theparliament; vote was Svetozar MAROVIC 65, other 47
Seychelleschief of state: President James MICHEL (since 14 April2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President James MICHEL (since 14 April 2004);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 31 August-2 September 2001 (next to be held NA2006)election results: France Albert RENE re-elected president; percentof vote - France Albert RENE (SPPF) 54.19%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN (UO)44.95%, Philippe BOULLE 0.86%; note - the first time thatpresidential elections have been held separately from legislativeelections; France Albert RENE stepped down 14 April 2004 and VicePresident James MICHEL was sworn in as president
Sierra Leonechief of state: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29March 1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is boththe chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both thechief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president with theapproval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsibleto the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held May 2007); note -president's tenure of office is limited to two five-year termselection results: Ahmad Tejan KABBAH reelected president; percent ofvote - Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (SLPP) 70.6%, Ernest KOROMA (APC) 22.4%
Singaporechief of state: President Sellapan Rama (S. R.) NATHAN(since 1 September 1999)head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August2004); Senior Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 12 August 2004);Minister Mentor LEE Kuan Yew (since 12 August 2004); Deputy PrimeMinisters Shunmugan JAYAKUMAR (since 12 August 2004) and Tony TANKeng Yam (since 1 August 1995)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president, responsible to Parliamentelections: president elected by popular vote for six-year term; lastappointed 17 August 2005 (next election to be held by August 2011);following legislative elections, leader of majority party or leaderof majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister bypresident; deputy prime ministers appointed by presidentelection results: Sellapan Rama (S. R.) NATHAN appointed presidentin August 2005 after Presidential Elections Committee disqualifiedthree other would-be candidates
Slovakiachief of state: President Ivan GASPAROVIC (since 15 June2004)head of government: Prime Minister Mikulas DZURINDA (since 30October 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Ivan MIKLOS (since 30 October1998); Deputy Prime Minister Pal CSAKY (since 30 October 1998);Deputy Prime Minister Pavol RUSKO (since May 2004)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation ofthe prime ministerelections: president elected by direct, popular vote for a five-yearterm; election last held 3 April and 17 April 2004 (next to be heldApril 2009); following National Council elections, the leader of themajority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usuallyappointed prime minister by the presidentelection results: Ivan GASPAROVIC elected president in runoff;percent of vote - Ivan GASPAROVIC 59.9%, Vladimir MECIAR 40.1%;Mikulas DZURINDA reelected prime minister October 2002note: government coalition - SDKU, SMK, KDH, ANO
Sloveniachief of state: President Janez DRNOVSEK (since 22 December2002)head of government: Prime Minister Janez JANSA (since 9 November2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister andelected by the National Assemblyelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 10 November and 1 December 2002 (next to be heldin the fall of 2007); following National Assembly elections, theleader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalitionis usually nominated to become prime minister by the president andelected by the National Assembly; election last held 9 November 2004(next National Assembly elections to be held October 2008)election results: Janez DRNOVSEK elected president; percent of vote- Janez DRNOVSEK 56.5%, Barbara BREZIGAR 43.5%; Janez JANSA electedprime minister; National Assembly vote - 57 to 27
Solomon Islandschief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February1952), represented by Governor General Nathaniel WAENA (since 7 July2004)head of government: Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA (since 17December 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Snyder RINI (since 17 December2001)cabinet: Cabinet consists of 20 members appointed by the governorgeneral on the advice of the prime minister from among the membersof Parliamentelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor generalappointed by the monarch on the advice of Parliament for up to fiveyears; following legislative elections, the leader of the majorityparty or the leader of a majority coalition is usually elected primeminister by Parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by thegovernor general on the advice of the prime minister from among themembers of Parliament
Somaliachief of state: Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed (since 14 October2004); note - a new Transitional Federal Government consisting of a275-member parliament was established in October 2004 but remainsresident in Nairobi, Kenya, and has not extablished effectivegovernance inside Somaliahead of government: Prime Minister Ali Muhammad GHEDI (since 24December 2004)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by theTransitional Federal Assemblyelection results: Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed, the leader of the Puntlandregion of Somalia, was elected president by the Transitional FederalAssembly
South Africachief of state: President Thabo MBEKI (since 16 June1999); Executive Deputy President Phumzile MLAMBO-NGCUKA (since 23June 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and headof governmenthead of government: President Thabo MBEKI (since 16 June 1999);Executive Deputy President Phumzile MLAMBO-NGCUKA (since 23 June2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by the National Assembly for afive-year term; election last held 24 April 2004 (next to be heldApril 2009)election results: Thabo MBEKI elected president; percent of NationalAssembly vote - 100% (by acclamation)note: ANC-IFP is the governing coalition
Spainchief of state: King JUAN CARLOS I (since 22 November 1975);Heir Apparent Prince FELIPE, son of the monarch, born 30 January 1968head of government: President of the Government and Prime MinisterJose Luis RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO (since 17 April 2004); First VicePresident and Deputy Prime Minister (and Minister of the Presidency)Maria Teresa FERNANDEZ DE LA VEGA (since 18 April 2004) and SecondVice President (and Minister of Economy and Finance) Pedro SOLBES(since 18 April 2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers designated by the presidentnote: there is also a Council of State that is the supremeconsultative organ of the government, but its recommendations arenon-bindingelections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislativeelections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of themajority coalition is usually proposed president by the monarch andelected by the National Assembly; election last held 14 March 2004(next to be held March 2008); vice presidents appointed by themonarch on the proposal of the presidentelection results: Jose Luis RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO (PSOE) electedpresident; percent of National Assembly vote - 52.29%
Sri Lankachief of state: President Chandrika BandaranaikeKUMARATUNGA (since 12 November 1994); note - Mahinda RAJAPAKSE(since 6 April 2004) is the prime minister; the president isconsidered both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA(since 12 November 1994); note - Mahinda RAJAPAKSE is the primeminister (since 6 April 2004); the president is considered both thechief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with theprime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;election last held 21 December 1999 (next to be held NA December2005)election results: Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA reelectedpresident; percent of vote - Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA 51%,Ranil WICKREMASINGHE 42%, other 7%
Sudanchief of state: President Lt. Gen. Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR(since 16 October 1993); First Vice President Salva KIIR (since 4August 2005), Second Vice President Ali Osman TAHA (since 20September 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Lt. Gen. Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR(since 16 October 1993); First Vice President Salva KIIR (since 4August 2005), Second Vice President Ali Osman TAHA (since 20September 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - theNational Congress Party or NCP (formerly the National Islamic Frontor NIF) dominates al-BASHIR's cabinetelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 13-23 December 2000 (next to be held NA)election results: Field Marshall Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIRreelected president; percent of vote - Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR86.5%, Ja'afar Muhammed NUMAYRI 9.6%, three other candidatesreceived a combined vote of 3.9%; election widely viewed as rigged;all popular opposition parties boycotted elections because of a lackof guarantees for a free and fair electionnote: al-BASHIR assumed power as chairman of Sudan's RevolutionaryCommand Council for National Salvation (RCC) in June 1989 and servedconcurrently as chief of state, chairman of the RCC, prime minister,and minister of defense until mid-October 1993 when he was appointedpresident by the RCC; he was elected president by popular vote forthe first time in March 1996
Surinamechief of state: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since12 August 2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar AJODHIA (since 12August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12August 2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar AJODHIA (since 12August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmentcabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president from amongthe members of the National Assemblyelections: president and vice president elected by the NationalAssembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidatereceives a a two-thirds constitutional majority in the NationalAssembly after two votes, by a simple majority in the largerPeople's United Assembly (869 representatives from the national,local, and regional councils), for five-year terms; election lastheld 25 May 2005 (next to be held 25 May 2010)
Svalbardchief of state: King HARALD V of Norway (since 17 January1991)head of government: Governor Odd Olsen INGERO (since 8 June 2001)and Assistant Governor Rune Baard HANSEN (since NA)elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor and assistantgovernor responsible to the Polar Department of the Ministry ofJustice
Swazilandchief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)head of government: Prime Minister Absolom Themba DLAMINI (since 14November 2003)cabinet: Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed bythe monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointedby the monarch
Swedenchief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree,daughter of the monarch (born 14 July 1977)head of government: Prime Minister Goran PERSSON (since 21 March1996)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime ministerelections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislativeelections, the prime minister is elected by the parliament; electionlast held 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA September 2006)election results: Goran PERSSON reelected prime minister with 131out of 349 votes
Switzerlandchief of state: President Samuel SCHMID (since 1 January2005); Vice President Moritz LEUENBERGER (since 1 January 2005);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Samuel SCHMID (since 1 January 2005);Vice President Moritz LEUENBERGER (since 1 January 2005); note - thepresident is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal(in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) elected by the FederalAssembly usually from among its own members for a four-year termelections: president and vice president elected by the FederalAssembly from among the members of the Federal Council for one-yearterms that run concurrently; election last held 8 December 2004(next to be held December 2005)election results: Samuel SCHMID elected president; percent ofFederal Assembly vote - 70.7%; Moritz LEUENBERGER elected vicepresident; percent of legislative vote - 64.8%
Syriachief of state: President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000);Vice Presidents Abd al-Halim ibn Said KHADDAM (since 11 March 1984)and Muhammad Zuhayr MASHARIQA (since 11 March 1984)head of government: Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-UTRI (since 10September 2003)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;referendum/election last held 10 July 2000 - after the death ofPresident Hafiz al-ASAD, father of Bashar al-ASAD - (next to be held2007); vice presidents appointed by the president; prime ministerand deputy prime ministers appointed by the presidentelection results: Bashar al-ASAD elected president; percent of vote- Bashar al-ASAD 97.29%note: Hafiz al-ASAD died on 10 June 2000; on 20 June 2000, the Ba'thParty nominated Bashar al-ASAD for president and presented his nameto the People's Council on 25 June 2000
Taiwanchief of state: President CHEN Shui-bian (since 20 May 2000)and Vice President Annette LU (LU Hsiu-lien) (since 20 May 2000)head of government: Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) FrankHSIEH (since 1 February 2005) and Vice Premier (Vice President ofthe Executive Yuan) - WU Rong-i) (since 18 February 2005)cabinet: Executive Yuan appointed by the presidentelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 20 March2004 (next to be held in March 2008); premier appointed by thepresident; vice premiers appointed by the president on therecommendation of the premierelection results: CHEN Shui-bian re-elected president; percent ofvote - CHEN Shui-bian (DPP) 50.1%, LIEN Chan (KMT) 49.9%
Tajikistanchief of state: President Emomali RAHMONOV (since 6November 1994; head of state and Supreme Assembly chairman since 19November 1992)head of government: Prime Minister Oqil OQILOV (since 20 January1999)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approvedby the Supreme Assemblyelections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;election last held 6 November 1999 (next to be held NA 2006); primeminister appointed by the president; Tajikistan held aconstitutional referendum on 22 June 2003 that, among other things,set a limit of two seven-year terms for the presidentelection results: Emomali RAHMONOV elected president; percent ofvote - Emomali RAHMONOV 97%, Davlat USMON 2%
Tanzaniachief of state: President Benjamin William MKAPA (since 23November 1995); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July2001); note - the president is both chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Benjamin William MKAPA (since 23November 1995); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July2001); note - the president is both chief of state and head ofgovernmentnote: Zanzibar elects a president who is head of government formatters internal to Zanzibar; Amani Abeid KARUME was elected to thatoffice on 29 October 2000cabinet: Cabinet ministers, including the prime minister, areappointed by the president from among the members of the NationalAssemblyelections: president and vice president elected on the same ballotby popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 29 October2000 (next to be held 30 October 2005); prime minister appointed bythe presidentelection results: Benjamin William MKAPA reelected president;percent of vote - Benjamin William MKAPA 71.7%, Ibrahim HarunaLIPUMBA 16.3%, Augustine Lyatonga MREME 7.8%, John Momose CHEYO 4.2%
Thailandchief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946)head of government: Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat (since 9February 2001) and Deputy Prime Ministers CHITCHAI Wannasathi (since11 March 2005), PHINIT Charusombat (since 6 October 2004), SOMKHITChatusiphithak (since 11 March 2005), SURAKIAT Sathianthai (since 11March 2005); SURIYA Chungrungruankit (since 3 August 2005), SUWATLiptapanlop (since 3 August 2005), WISANU Kruangam (since 8 November2003)cabinet: Council of Ministersnote: there is also a Privy Councilelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister isdesignated from among the members of the House of Representatives;following national elections for the House of Representatives, theleader of the party that can organize a majority coalition usuallyis appointed prime minister by the king
Togochief of state: President Faure GNASSINGBE (since 6 February2005); note - Gnassingbe EYADEMA died on 5 February 2005 and wassucceeded by his son, Faure GNASSINGBE; popular elections in April2005 validated the successionhead of government: Prime Minister Edem KODJO (since 8 June 2005)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and theprime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held NA); primeminister appointed by the presidentelection results: Faure GNASSINGBE elected president; percent ofvote - Faure GNASSINGBE 60.2%, Emmanuel Akitani BOB 38.3%, NicolasLAWSON 1.0%, Harry OLYMPIO 0.6%
Tokelauchief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General of New Zealand Dame SilviaCARTWRIGHT (since 4 April 2001); New Zealand is represented byAdministrator Neil WALTER (since 1 March 2003)head of government: Pio TUIA (since February 2005); note - positionrotates annually among the three Faipule (village leaders)cabinet: the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau,consisting of three Faipule (village leaders) and three Pulenuku(village mayors) functions as a cabinetelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointedby the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; thehead of government is chosen from the Council of Faipule and servesa one-year term
Tongachief of state: King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December1965)head of government: Prime Minister Prince Lavaka ata ULUKALALA(since 3 January 2000) and Deputy Prime Minister James C. COCKER(since NA January 2001)cabinet: cabinet consists of 16 members, 12 appointed by the monarchfor life; 4 appointed from among the elected members of theLegislative Assembly including 2 each from the Nobles and Peoplesrepresentatives serving three year termsnote: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch,the Cabinet, and two governorselections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister anddeputy prime minister appointed for life by the monarch
Trinidad and Tobagochief of state: President George MaxwellRICHARDS (since 17 March 2003)head of government: Prime Minister Patrick MANNING (since 24December 2001)cabinet: Cabinet appointed from among the members of Parliamentelections: president elected by an electoral college, which consistsof the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for afive-year term; election last held 14 February 2003 (next to be heldin 2008); the president usually appoints as prime minister theleader of the majority party in the House of Representativeselection results: George Maxwell RICHARDS elected president; percentof electoral college vote - 43%
Tunisiachief of state: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI (since 7November 1987)head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed GHANNOUCHI (since 17November 1999)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 24 October 2004 (next to be held October 2009);prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI reelected for afourth term; percent of vote - Zine El Abidine BEN ALI 94.5%,Mohamed BOUCHIHA 3.8%, Mohamed Ali HALOUANI 1%
Turkeychief of state: President Ahmet Necdet SEZER (since 16 May2000)head of government: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (14 March2003)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on thenomination of the prime ministerelections: president elected by the National Assembly for aseven-year term; election last held 5 May 2000 (next to be held May2007); prime minister appointed by the president from among membersof parliamentelection results: Ahmed Necdet SEZER elected president on the thirdballot; percent of National Assembly vote - 60%note: president must have a two-thirds majority of the NationalAssembly on the first two ballots and a simple majority on the thirdballot
Turkmenistanchief of state: President and Chairman of the Cabinetof Ministers Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when thefirst direct presidential election occurred); note - the presidentis both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President and Chairman of the Cabinet ofMinisters Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the firstdirect presidential election occurred); note - the president is boththe chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the presidentnote: NIYAZOV's term in office was extended indefinitely on 28December 1999 during a session of the People's Council (HalkMaslahaty)elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 21 June 1992 (next to be held in 2008 whenNIYAZOV turns 70 and is constitutionally ineligible to run); note -President NIYAZOV was unanimously approved as president for life bythe People's Council on 28 December 1999; deputy chairmen of thecabinet of ministers are appointed by the presidentelection results: Saparmurat NIYAZOV elected president withoutopposition; percent of vote - Saparmurat NIYAZOV 99.5%
Turks and Caicos Islandschief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6February 1953), represented by Governor Richard TAUWHARE (since 11July 2005)head of government: Chief Minister Michael Eugene MISICK (since 15August 2003)cabinet: Executive Council consists of three ex officio members andfive appointed by the governor from among the members of theLegislative Councilelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed bythe monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party is appointed chief minister by the governor
Tuvaluchief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General Filoimea TELITO (since 15 April 2005)head of government: Prime Minister Maatia TOAFA (since 11 October2004)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on therecommendation of the prime ministerelections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed bythe monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; primeminister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the membersof Parliament; election last held 11 October 2004 (next to be heldfollowing parliamentary elections in 2006)election results: Saufatu SOPOANGA resigned parliamentary seat on 27August 2004 following no-confidence vote on 25 August 2004;succeeded by Deputy Prime Minister Maatia TOAFA in an actingcapacity on 27 August 2004; Maatia TOAFA confirmed Prime Minister ina Parliamentary election (8-7 vote) on 11 October 2004
Ugandachief of state: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI(since seizing power 26 January 1986); note - the president is bothchief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (sinceseizing power 29 January 1986); Prime Minister Apollo NSIBAMBI(since 5 April 1999); note - the president is both chief of stateand head of government; the prime minister assists the president inthe supervision of the cabinetcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among electedlegislatorselections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 12 March 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); note -first popular election for president since independence in 1962 washeld in 1996; prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI elected president;percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI 69.3%, KizzaBESIGYE 27.8%
Ukrainechief of state: President Viktor A. YUSHCHENKO (since 23January 2005)head of government: Prime Minister Yuriy YEKHANUROV (since 22September 2005); First Deputy Prime Minister - Stanislav STASHEVSKYY(since 27 September 2005)cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president andapproved by the Supreme Councilnote: there is also a National Security and Defense Council or NSDCoriginally created in 1992 as the National Security Council, butsignificantly revamped and strengthened under former-PresidentKUCHMA; the NSDC staff is tasked with developing national securitypolicy on domestic and international matters and advising thepresident; a Presidential Administration that helps draftpresidential edicts and provides policy support to the president;and a Council of Regions that serves as an advisory bodyelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;note - a special repeat runoff presidential election between ViktorYUSHCHENKO and Viktor YANUKOVYCH took place on 26 December 2004after the earlier 21 November 2004 contest - won by Mr. YANUKOVYCH -was invalidated by the Ukrainian Supreme Court because of widespreadand significant violations; prime minister and deputy primeministers appointed by the president and approved by the SupremeCouncilelection results: Viktor YUSHCHENKO elected president; percent ofvote - Viktor YUSHCHENKO 51.99%, Viktor YANUKOVYCH 44.2%
United Arab Emirateschief of state: President Sheikh KHALIFA binZayid al-Nuhayyan (since 3 November 2004), ruler of Abu Zaby (AbuDhabi) (since 4 November 2004) and Vice President MAKTUM bin Rashidal-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai)head of government: Prime Minister MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum(since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai); Deputy PrimeMinister SULTAN bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990);Deputy Prime Minister HAMDAN bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 20 October2003)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentnote: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of theseven emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutionalauthority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctionsfederal legislation; meets four times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi)and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto powerelections: president and vice president elected by the FederalSupreme Council (composed of rulers of the seven emirates) forfive-year terms; election last held 3 November 2004 upon the deathof the UAE's Founding Father and first President ZAYID bin Sultan AlNuhayyan (next to be held 2009); prime minister and deputy primeminister appointed by the presidentelection results: Sheikh KHALIFA bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan electedpresident by a unanimous vote of the FSC; MAKTUM bin Rashidal-Maktum unanimously reaffirmed vice president
United Kingdomchief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February1952); Heir Apparent Prince CHARLES (son of the queen, born 14November 1948)head of government: Prime Minister Anthony (Tony) BLAIR (since 2 May1997)cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the prime ministerelections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following legislativeelections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of themajority coalition is usually the prime minister
United Stateschief of state: President George W. BUSH (since 20January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President George W. BUSH (since 20 January2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approvalelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby a college of representatives who are elected directly from eachstate; president and vice president serve four-year terms; electionlast held 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2008)election results: George W. BUSH reelected president; percent ofpopular vote - George W. BUSH (Republican Party) 50.9%, John KERRY(Democratic Party) 48.1%, other 1.0%
Uruguaychief of state: President Tabare VAZQUEZ (since 1 March2005) and Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVA (since 1 March 2005); note- the president is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Tabare VAZQUEZ (since 1 March 2005)and Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVA (since 1 March 2005); note - thepresident is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president withparliamentary approvalelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 31 October2004 (next to be held October 2009)election results: Tabare VAZQUEZ elected president; percent of vote- Tabare VAZQUEZ 50.5%, Jorge LARRANAGA 35.1%, Guillermo STIRLING10.3%
Uzbekistanchief of state: President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March1990, when he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet)head of government: Prime Minister Shavkat MIRZIYAYEV (since 11December 2003)cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president withapproval of the Supreme Assemblyelections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term(previously was a five-year term, extended by constitutionalamendment in 2002); election last held 9 January 2000 (next to beheld December 2007); prime minister and deputy ministers appointedby the presidentelection results: Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote- Islom KARIMOV 91.9%, Abdulkhafiz JALALOV 4.2%
Vanuatuchief of state: President Kalkot Matas KELEKELE (since 16August 2004)head of government: Prime Minister Ham LINI (since 11 December2004); Deputy Prime Minister Sato KILMAN (since 11 December 2004);Prime Minister Serge VOHOR ousted in no-confidence vote on 11December 2004cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister,responsible to Parliamentelections: president elected for a five-year term by an electoralcollege consisting of Parliament and the presidents of the regionalcouncils; election for president last held 16 August 2004 (next tobe held in 2009); following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or majority coalition is usually elected primeminister by Parliament from among its members; election for primeminister last held 29 July 2004 (next to be held following generalelections in 2008)election results: Kalkot Matas KELEKELE elected president, with 49votes out of 56, after several ballots on 16 August 2004
Venezuelachief of state: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3February 1999); Vice President Jose Vicente RANGEL Vale (since 28April 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February1999); Vice President Jose Vicente RANGEL Vale (since 28 April2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;election last held 30 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2006)election results: Hugo CHAVEZ Frias reelected president; percent ofvote - 60%note: a special presidential recall vote on 15 August 2004 resultedin a victory for CHAVEZ; percent of vote - 58% in favor of CHAVEZfulfilling the remaining two years of his term, 42% in favor ofterminating his presidency immediately
Vietnamchief of state: President Tran Duc LUONG (since 24 September1997)head of government: Prime Minister Phan Van KHAI (since 25 September1997); First Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan DUNG (since 29September 1997); Deputy Prime Ministers Vu KHOAN (8 August 2002) andPham Gia KHIEM (since 29 September 1997)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president based on proposal of primeminister and ratification of National Assemblyelections: president elected by the National Assembly from among itsmembers for a five-year term; election last held 25 July 2002 (nextto be held when National Assembly meets following legislativeelections in 2007); prime minister appointed by the president fromamong the members of the National Assembly; deputy prime ministersappointed by the prime ministerelection results: Tran Duc LUONG elected president; percent ofNational Assembly vote - NA%
Virgin Islandschief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US(since 20 January 2001)head of government: Governor Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (since 5January 1999)cabinet: NAelections: US president and vice president elected on the sameticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor electedon the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; electionlast held 5 November 2002 (next to be held November 2006)election results: Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL reelected governor;percent of vote - Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (Democrat) 50.5%, Johnde JONGH 24.4%
Wallis and Futunachief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France(since 17 May 1995), represented by High Administrator Xavier DEFURST (since 18 January 2005)head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly PatalioneKANIMOA (since NA January 2001)cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of three kings and threemembers appointed by the high administrator on the advice of theTerritorial Assemblynote: there are three traditional kings with limited powerselections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-yearterm; high administrator appointed by the French president on theadvice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of theTerritorial Government and the Territorial Assembly are elected bythe members of the assembly