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 todepose the monarch, determine who is next in the line of succession,or who shall serve as regent in the event that the successor is notof mature age
Liberiachief of state: President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF (since 16January 2006); note - the President is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF (since 16January 2006); note - the President is both the chief of state andhead of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president and confirmed by theSenateelections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 8 November 2005(next to be held in 2011)election results: Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF elected president; percentof vote, second round - Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF (UP) 59.6%, GeorgeWEAH (CDC) 40.4%
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) al-Baghdadi Ali al-MAHMUDI (since 5 March 2006)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 March 2006 (next to be held NA)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 Klaus TSCHUETSCHER (since 21April 2005)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 if there is acoalition government
Lithuaniachief of state: President Valdas ADAMKUS (since 12 July2004)head of government: Prime Minister Gediminas KIRKILAS (since 4 July2006)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on thenomination of the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 13 and 27 June 2004(next to be held June 2009); prime minister appointed by thepresident on the approval of the Parliamentelection results: Valdas ADAMKUS elected president; percent of vote- Valdas ADAMKUS 52.2%, Kazimiera PRUNSKIENE 47.8%; GediminasKIRKILAS approved by Parliament 85-13, with 5 abstentions
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,three legislators, four businessmen, one pro-Beijing unionist, andone pro-Beijing educatorelections: chief executive chosen by a 300-member Election Committeefor a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election lastheld 29 August 2004 (next to be held in 2009)election results: Edmund HO Hau-wah reelected received 296 votes;three members submitted blank ballots; one member was absent
Macedoniachief of state: President Branko CRVENKOVSKI (since 12 May2004)head of government: Prime Minister Nikola GRUEVSKI (since 26 August2006)cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of allthe deputies in the Assembly; note - current cabinet formed by thegovernment coalition parties VMRO/DPMNE, NSDP, PDSh/DPA, and severalsmall partieselections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); two-round election last held 14 Apriland 28 April 2004 (next to be held by April 2009); prime ministerelected by the Assembly following legislative electionselection results: Branko CRVENKOVSKI elected president onsecond-round ballot; percent of vote - Branko CRVENKOVSKI 62.7%,Sasko KEDEV 37.3%
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(eligible for a second term); election last held 3 December 2006(next to be held December 2011); prime minister appointed by thepresidentelection results: percent of vote - Marc RAVALOMANANA (TIM) 54.8%,Jean LAHINIRIKO 11.7%, Roland RATSIRAKA 10.1%, Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO(LEADER-Fanilo) 9.1%, Norbert RATSIRAHONANA (AVI) 4.2%, Ny HasinaANDRIAMANJATO 4.2%, Elia RAVELOMANANTSOA 2.6%, Pety RAKOTONIAINA1.7%, other 1.6%
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(eligible for a second term); election last held 20 May 2004 (nextto 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 Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin(since 13 December 2006)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 3November 2006 (next to be held in 2011); 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: Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin 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(eligible for a second term); election last held 12 May 2002 (nextto be held April 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 Edward 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 (eligible for a second term); election last held 29March 2004 (next to be held by April 2009); following legislativeelections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majoritycoalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president for afive-year term; the deputy prime minister is appointed by thepresident on the advice of the prime ministerelection results: Eddie FENECH ADAMI elected president; House ofRepresentatives vote - 33 out of 65 votes
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 January 2004)cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members ofthe legislatureelections: 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%
Mauritaniachief of state: Col. Ely Ould Mohamed VALL, whoseMilitary Council for Justice and Democracy deposed longtimePresident Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA in a coup 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 five-year term(eligible for a second consecutive term); note - passage of aconstitutional reform referendum in July 2006 limits president totwo five-year terms; election last held 7 November 2003 (next to beheld 11 March 2007); prime minister 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 Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM (since 5July 2005)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 (eligible for a second term); electionlast held 25 February 2002 (next to be held in February 2007); primeminister and deputy prime minister appointed 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 8 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 the Interior; president of the General Councilelected by the members of the General Council for a six-year term;next election to be held in 2010
Mexicochief of state: President Felipe de Jesus CALDERON Hinojosa(since 1 December 2006); note - the president is both the chief ofstate and head of governmenthead of government: President Felipe de Jesus CALDERON Hinojosa(since 1 December 2006)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; note - appointment ofattorney general requires consent of the Senateelections: president elected by popular vote for a single six-yearterm; election last held 2 July 2006 (next to be held 1 July 2012)election results: Felipe CALDERON elected president; percent of vote- Felipe CALDERON (PAN) 35.89%, Andres Manuel Lopez OBRADOR (PRD)35.31%, Roberto MADRAZO (PRI) 22.26%, other 6.54%
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)cabinet: Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of theeight executive departmentselections: president and vice president elected by Congress fromamong the four senators at large for a four-year term (eligible fora second term); election last held 11 May 2003 (next to be held May2007); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establishpopular elections for president 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 Zinaida GRECIANII (since 10October 2005)cabinet: Cabinet selected by president, subject to approval ofParliamentelections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 4 April 2005 (nextto be held in 2009); note - prime minister designated by thepresident, upon consultation with Parliament; within 15 days fromdesignation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote ofconfidence from the Parliament regarding his/her work program andentire cabinet; prime minister designated 15 April 2001, cabinetreceived a vote of confidence 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 Miegombyn ENKHBOLD (since 25January 2006); Deputy Prime Minister Mendsaikhan ENKHSAIKHAN (since28 January 2006)cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister in consultationwith the president and confirmed by the State Great Hural(parliament)elections: presidential candidates nominated by political partiesrepresented in State Great Hural and elected by popular vote for afour-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 22May 2005 (next to be held in May 2009); following legislativeelections, leader of majority party or majority coalition is usuallyelected prime minister by State Great Huralelection 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%; Miegombyn ENKHBOLD elected primeminister by the State Great Hural 56 to 10
Montenegrochief of state: President Filip VUJANOVIC (since 11 May2003)head of government: Prime Minister Zeljko STURANOVIC (since 13November 2006)cabinet: Ministries act as cabinetelections: president elected by direct vote for five-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 11 May 2003 (nextto be held in 2008); prime minister proposed by president, acceptedby Assemblyelection results: Filip VUJANOVIC elected on the third round; FilipVUJANOVIC 63.3%, Miodrag ZIVKOVIC 30.8%
Montserratchief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February1952), represented by Governor Deborah BARNES-JONES (since 10 May2004)head of government: Chief Minister Lowell LEWIS (since 2 June 2006)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(eligible for a second term); election last held 1-2 December 2004(next to be held December 2009); prime minister appointed by thepresidentelection results: Armando GUEBUZA elected president; percent of vote- Armando GUEBUZA 63.7%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 31.7%
Namibiachief of state: President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since 21March 2005)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(eligible for a second term); election last held 15 November 2004(next to be held November 2009)election results: Hifikepunye POHAMBA elected president; percent ofvote - Hifikepunye POHAMBA 76.4%, Den ULENGA 7.3%, Katuutire KAURA5.1%, Kuaima RIRUAKO 4.2%, Justus GAROEB 3.8%, other 3.2%
Nauruchief of state: President Ludwig SCOTTY (since 22 June 2004);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Ludwig SCOTTY (since 22 June 2004)cabinet: 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: Girija Prasad KOIRALA (since 30 April 2006)head of government: Prime Minister Girija Prasad KOIRALA (since 30April 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers Khadga Prasad OLI (since 2 May2006) and Amik SHERCHAN since June 2006)cabinet: Cabinet historically appointed by the monarch on therecommendation of the prime minister; note - the prime ministerselected the Cabinet in May 2006 in consultation with the politicalpartieselections: following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or leader of a majority coalition historically hasbeen appointed prime minister by the monarch
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 Emily de JONGH-ELHAGE (since 26March 2006)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 27 January 2006 (next to be heldby 2007)note: government coalition - PAR, PNP, DP St. Maarten, UP Bonaire,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 Committee consists of eight members chosenfrom leading figures on the island to advise the High Commissionerelections: 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 for afive-year term (no term limits); note - last election held 29 June2004 when Marie-Noelle THEMEREAU was elected on the third vote with8 votes for and 3 abstentions
New Zealandchief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February1952), represented by Governor General Anand SATYANAND (since 23August 2006)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 Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 15January 2007); Vice President Jaime MORALES Carazo (since 10 January2007); note - the president is both chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 15January 2007); Vice President Jaime MORALES Carazo (since 10 January2007)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term solong as it is not consecutive); election last held 5 November 2006(next to be held by November 2011)election results: Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) elected president -38.07%, Eduardo MONTEALEGRE (ALN) 29%, Jose RIZO (PLC) 26.21%,Edmundo JARQUIN (MRS) 6.44%
Nigerchief of state: President Mamadou TANDJA (since 22 December1999); note - the president is both chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Mamadou TANDJA (since 22 December1999); Prime Minister Hama AMADOU (since 31 December 1999) wasappointed by the president and shares some executiveresponsibilities with the presidentcabinet: 26-member Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); second round last held 4 December 2004(next to be held December 2009)election results: Mamadou TANDJA reelected president; percent ofvote - Mamadou TANDJA 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 a four-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 19 April 2003 (nextto be held 21 April 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),represented by Governor General of New Zealand Anand SATYANAND(since 23 August 2006); the UK and New Zealand are represented byNew Zealand High Commissioner John 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); represented by the Australian governor generalhead of government: Administrator Grant TAMBLING (since 1 November2003)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: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointedby the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch andAustralia
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 Benigno R. FITIAL (since 9 January2006); Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. VILLAGOMEZ (since 9 January2006)cabinet: the cabinet consists of the heads of the 10 principaldepartments under the executive branch who are appointed by thegovernor with the advice and consent of the Senate; other membersinclude Special Assistants to the governor and office headsappointed by and reporting directly to the governorelections: under the US Consitution, residents of unincorporatedterritories, such as the Commonwealth of the Northern MarianaIslands, do not vote in elections for US president and vicepresident; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the sameticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a secondterm); election last held 5 November 2005 (next to be held November2009)election results: Benigno R. FITIAL elected governor in a four-wayrace; percent of vote - Benigno R. FITIAL (Covenant Party) 28.07%,Heinz HOFSCHNEIDER (Independent) 27.34%, Juan BABAUTA (Republican)26.6%, Froilan TENORIO (Democrat) 17.99%
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 (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July1972); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Saidal-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July1972); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: 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 an electoral college drawnfrom the national parliament and provincial assemblies for afive-year term; note - Musharraf was last sworn in as President inNovember 2002; the prime minister is selected by the NationalAssembly (next elections to be held in 2007)election results: AZIZ elected by the National Assembly on 27 August2004
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)cabinet: NAelections: president and vice president elected on separate ticketsby popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term);election last held 2 November 2004 (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 (eligible for two more terms);election last held 2 May 2004 (next to be held 3 May 2009); note -beginning in 2009, Panama will have 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 Don Polye (since 5 July 2006)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)cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the presidentelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held 27April 2003 (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 Alan GARCIA Perez (since 28 July2006); First Vice President Luis GIAMPIETRI Rojas; Second VicePresident Lourdes MENDOZA del Solar (since 28 July 2006); note - thepresident is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Alan GARCIA Perez (since 28 July2006); First Vice President Luis GIAMPIETRI Rojas; Second VicePresident Lourdes MENDOZA del Solar (since 28 July 2006)note: Prime Minister Jorge DEL CASTILLO Galvez (since 28 August2006) does not exercise executive power; this power is in the handsof the presidentcabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); presidential and congressionalelections held 9 April 2006, with runoff election held 4 June 2006;next to be held April 2011election results: Alan GARCIA elected president in runoff election;percent of vote - Alan GARCIA 52.5%, Ollanta HUMALA Tasso 47.5%
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); note - president is both chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: 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 a single six-yearterm; 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 George FERGUSSON(since April 2006); Commissioner (nonresident) Leslie JAQUES (sinceSeptember 2003) serves as liaison between the governor and theIsland Councilhead of government: Governor George FERGUSSON (since April 2006);Mayor and Chairman of the Island Council Jay WARREN (since 15December 2004)cabinet: NAelections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor and commissionerappointed by the monarch; island mayor elected by popular vote for athree-year term; election last held December 2004 (next to be heldDecember 2007)election results: Jay WARREN elected mayor and chairman of theIsland Council
Polandchief of state: President Lech KACZYNSKI (since 23 December2005)head of government: Prime Minister Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI (since 10 July2006); Deputy Prime Ministers Ludwik DORN (since 23 November 2005),Roman GIERTYCH (since 5 May 2006), Zyta GILOWSKA (since 22 September2006), Andrzej LEPPER (since 16 October 2006)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(eligible for a second term); election last held 9 and 23 October2005 (next to be held fall 2010); prime minister and deputy primeministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the Sejmelection results: Lech KACZYNSKI elected president; percent ofpopular vote - Lech KACZYNSKI 54%, Donald Tusk 46%
Portugalchief of state: President Anibal CAVACO SILVA (since 9March 2006)head of government: Prime Minister Jose SOCRATES Carvalho Pinto deSousa (since 12 March 2005)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(eligible for a second term); election last held 22 January 2006(next to be held January 2011); following legislative elections, theleader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition isusually appointed prime minister by the presidentelection results: Anibal CAVACO SILVA elected president; percent ofvote - Anibal CAVACO SILVA 50.6%, Manuel ALEGRE 20.7%, Mario AlbertoNobre Lopes SOARES 14.3%, Jeronimo DE SOUSA 8.5%, Franciso LOUCA 5.3%
Puerto Ricochief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US(since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20January 2001)head of government: Governor Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA (since 2 January2005)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of thelegislatureelections: under the US Consitution, residents of unincorporatedterritories, such as Puerto Rico, do not vote in elections for USpresident and vice president; governor elected by popular vote for afour-year term (no term limits); election last held 2 November 2004(next to be held November 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, fourth 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); First Deputy PrimeMinister HAMAD bin Jasim bin Jabir al-Thani (since 16 September2003, also Foreign Minister since 1992); Second Deputy PrimeMinister Abdallah bin Hamad al-ATIYAH (since 16 September 2003, alsoElectricity and Water Minister since 1999 and Energy and IndustryMinister since 1992)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
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(eligible for a second term); election last held 28 November 2004,with runoff between the top two candidates held 12 December 2004(next to be held November-December 2009); prime minister appointedby the president with the consent of the Parliamentelection results: percent of vote - Traian BASESCU 51.23%, AdrianNASTASE 48.77%
Russiachief of state: President Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN(acting president 31 December 1999-6 May 2000, president since 7 May2000)head of government: Premier Mikhail Yefimovich FRADKOV (since 5March 2004); First Deputy Premier Dmitriy Anatolyevich MEDVEDEV(since 14 November 2005), Deputy Premiers Aleksandr DmitriyevichZHUKOV (since 9 March 2004) and Sergey Borisovich IVANOV (since 14November 2005)cabinet: Ministries of the Government or "Government" composed ofthe premier and his deputies, 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(eligible for a second term); election last held 14 March 2004 (nextto be held March 2008); note - no vice president; if the presidentdies in office, cannot exercise his powers because of ill health, isimpeached, or resigns, the premier serves as acting president untila new presidential election is held, which must be within threemonths; premier appointed by the president with the approval of theDumaelection 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: President elected by popular vote for a seven-year term(eligible for a second term); elections last held 25 August 2003(next to be held in 2010)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, threeex-officio officers, and five elected members of the LegislativeCouncilelections: 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 Sir John COMPTON (since 15December 2006) and Deputy Prime Minister Leonard MONTOUTE (since 15December 2006)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 Yves FAUQUEUR(since 28 August 2006)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, 21 April 2002 (first round) and 5 May 2002(second round) (next to be held in 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: Malietoa TANUMAFILI II (cochief of state from1 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 Malietoa TANUMAFILI II, a new chief ofstate will be elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve afive-year term (no term limits); following legislative elections,the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime ministerby the chief of state with the approval of the Legislative Assembly
San Marinochief of state: Cochiefs of State Captain Regent AntonioCARATTONI and Captain Regent Roberto GIORGETTI (for the period 1October 2006-31 March 2007)head of government: Secretary of State for Foreign and PoliticalAffairs Fiorenzo STOLFI (since 27 July 2006)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 inSeptember 2006 (next to be held March 2007); secretary of state forforeign and political affairs elected by the Great and GeneralCouncil for a five-year term; election last held 27 July 2006 (nextto be held NA)election results: Antonio CARATTONI and Roberto GIORGETTI electedcaptains regent; percent of legislative vote - NA; Fiorenzo STOLFIelected secretary of state for foreign and political affairs;percent of legislative vote - NAnote: the popularly elected parliament (Grand and General Council)selects two of its members to serve as the Captains Regent(co-chiefs of state) for a six-month period; they preside overmeetings of the Grand and General Council and its cabinet (Congressof State), which has 10 other members, all selected by the Grand andGeneral Council; assisting the captains regent are 10 secretaries ofstate; the secretary of state for Foreign Affairs has assumed someprime ministerial roles
Sao Tome and Principechief of state: President Fradique DE MENEZES(since 3 September 2001)head of government: Prime Minister Tome Soares da VERA CRUZ (since21 April 2006)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on theproposal of the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 30 July 2006 (nextto be held July 2011); prime minister chosen by the NationalAssembly and approved by the presidentelection results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president; percent ofvote - Fradique DE MENEZES 60%, Patrice TROVOADA 38.5%
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)cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch every fouryears and includes many royal family memberselections: none; the monarch is hereditary; note - a new AllegianceCommission created by royal decree in October 2006 established acommittee of Saudi princes that will play a role in selecting futureSaudi kings, but the new system will not take effect until afterCrown Prince Sultan becomes king
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 term(eligible for a second term) under new constitution; election lastheld under prior constitution (seven-year terms) 27 February and 19March 2000 (next to be held 25 February 2007); prime ministerappointed by the presidentelection results: Abdoulaye WADE elected president; percent of votein the second round of voting - Abdoulaye WADE (PDS) 58.5%, AbdouDIOUF (PS) 41.5%
Serbiachief of state: President Boris TADIC (since 11 July 2004);Kosovo - President Fatmir SEJDIU (since 10 February 2006)head of government: Prime Minister Vojislav KOSTUNICA (since 3 March2004) - in an acting capacity pending formation of new governmentfollowing January 2007 elections; Kosovo - Prime Minister Agim CEKU(since 10 March 2006)cabinet: Federal Ministries act as cabinet; Kosovo - ministry headsact as cabinet; some ministry functions are controlled by the UNMIKelections: president elected by direct vote for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 27 June 2004 (nextto be held in 2007 due to constitutional changes); prime ministerelected by the Assembly; Kosovo - president is elected by theAssembly for a three-year term; prime minister and proposed cabinetare elected by the Assemblyelection results: Boris TADIC elected president in the second roundof voting; Boris TADIC received 53% of the vote
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(eligible for two more terms); election last held 28-30 July 2006(next to be held in 2011)election results: President James MICHEL elected president; percentof vote - James MICHEL (SPPF) 53.73%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN (SNP) 45.71%,Philippe BOULLE 0.56%; note - this was the first election in whichPresident James MICHEL participated; he was originally sworn in aspresident after former president France Albert RENE stepped down inApril 2004
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(eligible for a second term); election last held 14 May 2002 (nextto be held 28 July 2007)election results: Ahmad Tejan KABBAH reelected president; percent ofvote - Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (SLPP) 70.6%, Ernest Bai KOROMA (APC) 22.4%
Singaporechief of state: President S. R. NATHAN (since 1 September1999)note: uses S. R. NATHAN but his full name and the one used in formalcommunications is Sellapan RAMANATHANhead 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 PrimeMinister Shunmugan JAYAKUMAR (since 12 August 2004); Deputy PrimeMinister WONG Kan Seng (since 1 September 2005)cabinet: appointed by president, responsible to parliamentelections: president elected by popular vote for six-year term; lastappointed 17 August 2005 - see note (next election to be held byAugust 2011); following legislative elections, leader of majorityparty or leader of majority coalition is usually appointed primeminister by president; 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; scheduled election not held
Slovakiachief of state: President Ivan GASPAROVIC (since 15 June2004)head of government: Prime Minister Robert FICO (since 4 July 2006);Deputy Prime Ministers Dusan CAPLOVIC, Robert KALINAK, StefanHARABIN, Jan MIKOLAJ (since 4 July 2006)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation ofthe prime ministerelections: president elected by direct, popular vote for a five-yearterm (eligible for a second term); election last held 3 April and 17April 2004 (next to be held April 2009); following National Councilelections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of amajority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by thepresidentelection results: Ivan GASPAROVIC elected president in runoff;percent of vote - Ivan GASPAROVIC 59.9%, Vladimir MECIAR 40.1%
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(eligible for a second term); election last held 10 November and 1December 2002 (next to be held in the fall of 2007); followingNational Assembly elections, the leader of the majority party or theleader of a majority coalition is usually nominated to become primeminister by the president and elected by the National Assembly;election last held 9 November 2004 (next National Assembly electionsto 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 Manasseh SOGAVARE (since 4 May2006); note - Prime Minister Snyder RINI, elected on 18 April 2006and sworn in on 20 April 2006, resigned on 26 April prior to noconfidence vote in parliament; SOGAVARE elected on 4 Maycabinet: 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 (eligible for a second term); following legislative elections,the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majoritycoalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament; deputyprime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice ofthe prime minister from among the members of Parliament
Somaliachief of state: Transitional Federal President AbdullahiYUSUF Ahmed (since 14 October 2004); note - a transitional governingentity with a five-year mandate, known as the Transitional FederalInstitutions (TFIs), was established in October 2004; the TFIrelocated to Somalia in June 2004, but its members remain dividedover clan and regional interests and the government continues tostruggle to establish effective governance in the countryhead of government: Prime Minister Ali Mohamed GEDI (since 24December 2004)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by theTransitional Federal Assemblyelection results: Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed, the former leader of thesemi-autonomous Puntland region of Somalia, was elected president bythe Transitional Federal Assembly
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 (eligible for a second term); election last held 24April 2004 (next to be held April 2009)election results: Thabo MBEKI elected president; percent of NationalAssembly vote - 100% (by acclamation)
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 (Prime Ministerequivalent) Jose Luis RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO (since 17 April 2004);First Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister (and Minister of thePresidency) Maria Teresa FERNANDEZ DE LA VEGA (since 18 April 2004)and Second Vice 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 Mahinda RAJAPAKSE (since 19November 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of government; Ratnasiri WICKREMANAYAKE (since 21 November2005) holds the ceremonial title of prime ministerhead of government: President Mahinda RAJAPAKSE (since 19 November2005)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with theprime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 17 November 2005(next to be held 2011)election results: Mahinda RAJAPAKSE elected president; percent ofvote - Mahinda RAJAPAKSE 50.3%, Ranil WICKREMESINGHE 48.4%, other1.3%
Sudanchief of state: President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since16 October 1993); First Vice President Salva KIIR (since 4 August2005), Vice President Ali Osman TAHA (since 20 September 2005); note- the president is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16October 1993); First Vice President Salva KIIR (since 4 August2005), Vice President Ali Osman TAHA (since 20 September 2005); note- the president is both the chief of state and head 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: election last held 13-23 December 2000; next to be heldno later than July 2009 under terms of the 2005 Comprehensive PeaceAgreementelection results: Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR reelected president;percent of vote - Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR 86.5%, Ja'afarMuhammed NUMAYRI 9.6%, three other candidates received a combinedvote of 3.9%; election widely viewed as rigged; all popularopposition parties boycotted elections because of a lack ofguarantees 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 Ram SARDJOE (since 3 August 2005);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12August 2000); Vice President Ram SARDJOE (since 3 August 2005); note- the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president and vice president elected by the NationalAssembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidatereceives a two-thirds constitutional majority in the NationalAssembly after two votes, by a simple majority in the larger UnitedPeople's Assembly (893 representatives from the national, local, andregional councils), for five-year terms (no term limits); electionlast held 25 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010)election results: Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN reelected president;percent of vote - Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN 62.9%, Rabin PARMESSAR35.4%, other 1.7%; note - after two votes in the parliament failedto secure a two-thirds majority for a candidate, the vote then wentto a special session of the United People's Assembly on 3 August 2005
Svalbardchief of state: King HARALD V of Norway (since 17 January1991)head of government: Governor Per SEFLAND (since 1 October 2005) andAssistant Governor Rune Baard HANSEN (since 2003)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 Fredrik REINFELDT (since 5October 2006)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime ministerelections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislativeelections, the prime minister is elected by the parliament; electionlast held 17 September 2006 (next to be held in September 2010)election results: Fredrik REINFELDT elected prime minister with 175out of 349 votes
Switzerlandchief of state: President Micheline CALMY-REY (since 1January 2007); Vice President Pascal COUCHEPIN (since 1 January2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Micheline CALMY-REY (since 1 January2007); Vice President Pascal COUCHEPIN (since 1 January 2007)cabinet: 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 aone-year term (they may not serve consecutive terms); election lastheld 13 December 2006 (next to be held December 2007)election results: Micheline CALMY-REY elected president; percent ofFederal Assembly vote - 76.5%; Pascal COUCHEPIN elected vicepresident; percent of Federal Assembly vote - 86.5%