Kosovochief of state: President Fatmir SEJDIU (since 10 February2006)head of government: Prime Minister Hashim THACI (since 9 January2008)cabinet: ministers; elected by the Kosovo Assemblyelections: the president is elected for a five-year term by theKosovo Assembly; election last held 9 January 2008 (next to be heldby in 2013); the prime minister is elected by the Kosovo Assemblyelection results: Fatmir SEJDIU reelected president after threerounds; Hashim THACI elected prime minister by the Assembly
Kuwaitchief of state: Amir SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since29 January 2006); Crown Prince NAWAF al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabahhead of government: Prime Minister NASIR AL-MUHAMMAD al-Ahmadal-Sabah (since 3 April 2007); First Deputy Prime Minister JABIRAL-MUBAREK al-Hamad al-Sabah (since 9 February 2006); Deputy PrimeMinister MUHAMMAD AL-SABAH al-Salim al-Sabah (since 9 February 2006)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister andapproved by the amirelections: none; the amir is hereditary; the amir appoints the primeminister and deputy prime ministers
Kyrgyzstanchief of state: President Kurmanbek BAKIEV (since 14August 2005)head of government: Prime Minister Daniyar USENOV (since 21 October2009); First Deputy Prime Minister Akylbek JAPAROV (since 22 October2009)cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister,appointed by the president; ministers in charge of defense andsecurity, appointed solely by the presidentelections: Kurmanbek BAKIEV reelected by popular vote for afive-year term; election last held 23 July 2009 (next scheduled for2014); prime minister nominated by the parliamentary party holdingmore than 50% of the seats; if no such party exists, the presidentselects the party that will nominate a prime ministerelection results: Kurmanbek BAKIEV elected president; percent ofvote - Kurmanbek BAKIEV 76.1%, Almaz ATAMBAYEV 8.4%, Temir SARIYEV6.7%, other candidates 8.8%
Laoschief of state: President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 8June 2006); Vice President BOUN-GNANG Volachit (since 8 June 2006)head of government: Prime Minister BOUASONE Bouphavanh (since 8 June2006); Deputy Prime Ministers Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (since May2002), Maj. Gen. DOUANGCHAI Phichit (since 8 June 2006), SOMSAVATLengsavat (since 26 February 1998), and THONGLOUN Sisoulit (since 27March 2001)cabinet: Ministers appointed by president, approved by NationalAssemblyelections: president and vice president elected by National Assemblyfor five-year terms; election last held 8 June 2006 (next to be heldin 2011); prime minister nominated by president and elected byNational Assembly for five-year termelection results: CHOUMMALI Saignason elected president; BOUN-GNANGVolachit elected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote -100%; BOUASONE Bouphavanh elected prime minister; percent ofNational Assembly vote - 97%
Latviachief of state: President Valdis ZATLERS (since 8 July 2007)head of government: Prime Minister Valdis DOMBROVSKIS (since 12March 2009)cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister andappointed by Parliamentelections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 31 May 2007 (nextto be held in 2011); prime minister appointed by the president,confirmed by Parliamentelection results: Valdis ZATLERS elected president; parliamentaryvote - Valdis ZATLERS 58, Aivars ENDZINS 39
Lebanonchief of state: President Michel SULAYMAN (since 25 May 2008)head of government: Prime Minister Sa'ad AL-HARIRI (since 9 November2009);Deputy Prime Minister Elias MURR (since 9 November 2009)cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation withthe president and members of the National Assemblyelections: president elected by the National Assembly for a six-yearterm (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 25 May2008 (next to be held in 2014); the prime minister and deputy primeminister appointed by the president in consultation with theNational Assemblyelection results: Michel SULAYMAN elected president; NationalAssembly vote - 118 for, 6 abstentions, 3 invalidated
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: according to the constitution, the leader of the majorityparty in the Assembly automatically becomes prime minister; themonarch is hereditary, but, under the terms of the constitution thatcame into effect after the March 1993 election, the monarch is a"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)cabinet: 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 October 2011)election results: Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF elected president; percentof vote, second round - Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF 59.6%, George WEAH40.4%
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 heldMarch 2009)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 Klaus TSCHUTSCHER (since 25March 2009)cabinet: Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarchelections: 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 Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE (since 12July 2009)head of government: Prime Minister Andrius KUBILIUS (since 27November 2008)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 17 May 2009 (nextto be held in May 2014); prime minister appointed by the presidenton the approval of the Parliamentelection results: Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE elected president; percent ofvote - Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE 69.1%, Algirdas BUTKEVICIUS 11.8%,Valentinas MAZURONIS 6.2%, others 12.9%; Andrius KUBILIUS'government approved by Parliament 83-40 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 20January 1995); Deputy Prime Minister Jean ASSELBORN (since 31 July2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister andappointed by the monarchelections: the monarch is hereditary; following popular elections tothe Chamber of Deputies, the leader of the majority party or theleader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime ministerby the monarch; the deputy prime minister is appointed by themonarch; they are responsible to the Chamber of Deputiesnote: 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 1 government secretary, 3legislators, 4 businessmen, 1 pro-Beijing unionist, and 1pro-Beijing educatorelections: chief executive chosen by a 300-member Election Committeefor a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election lastheld 26 July 2009 (next to be held on in July 2014)election results: Edmund HO Hau-wah reelected with 296 votes in 2004election; Fernando CHUI Sai-on elected in 2009 with 282 votes, takesoffice on 20 December 2009
Macedoniachief of state: President Gjorge IVANOV (since 12 May 2009)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, BDI/DUI, and several smallpartieselections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); two-round election: first round held22 March 2009, second round held 5 April 2009 (next to be held inMarch 2014); prime minister elected by the Assembly followinglegislative electionselection results: Gjorge IVANOV elected president on second-roundballot; percent of vote - Gjorge IVANOV 63.14%, Ljubomir FRCKOSKI36.86%
Madagascarchief of state: President Andry RAJOELINA (since 18 March2009)head of government: Prime Minister Monja Roindefo ZAFITSIMIVALO(since 18 March 2009)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 in October 2011); prime minister appointed by thepresidentelection results: percent of vote - Marc RAVALOMANANA 54.8%, JeanLAHINIRIKO 11.7%, Roland RATSIRAKA 10.1%, Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO 9.1%,Norbert RATSIRAHONANA 4.2%, Ny Hasina ANDRIAMANJATO 4.2%, EliaRAVELOMANANTSOA 2.6%, Pety RAKOTONIAINA 1.7%, other 1.6%; note -RAVALOMANANA stepped down on 17 March 2009note:: on 17 March 2009, democratically elected President MarcRAVALOMANANA stepped down handing the government over to themilitary, which in turn conferred the presidency on oppositionleader and Antananarivo mayor Andry RAJOELINA, who will head theHigh Transition Authority; a power-sharing agreement reached inAugust 2009 established a 15-month transition period, concluding ingeneral elections
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 May 2004)cabinet: 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 19 May 2009 (nextto be held in May 2014)election results: Bingu wa MUTHARIKA elected president; percent ofvote - Bingu wa MUTHARIKA 66%, John TEMBO 30.7%, other 3.3%
Malaysiachief of state: King - Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin (since 13December 2006); (the position of the king is primarily ceremonial)head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak(since 3 April 2009); Deputy Prime Minister MUHYIDDIN bin MohamedYassin (since 9 April 2009)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among themembers of Parliament with consent of the kingelections: kings are elected by and from the hereditary rulers ofnine of the states for five-year terms; election last held on 3November 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister designatedfrom among the members of the House of Representatives; followinglegislative elections, the leader who commands the support of themajority of members in the House becomes prime minister (sinceindependence this has been the leader of the UMNO party)election results: Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin elected king; inpractice, selection is based on principle of rotation among rulersof states
Maldiveschief of state: President Mohamed "Anni" NASHEED (since 11November 2008); Vice President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since11 November 2008); note - the president is both the chief of stateand head of governmenthead of government: President Mohamed "Anni" NASHEED (since 11November 2008); Vice President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since11 November 2008)cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: under the new constitution, the president is elected bydirect vote; president elected for a five-year term (eligible for asecond term); election last held 8 and 28 October 2008 (next to beheld in 2013)election results: Mohamed NASHEED elected president; percent of vote- NASHEED 54.25%, Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 45.75%
Malichief of state: President Amadou Toumani TOURE (since 8 June2002)head of government: Prime Minister Modibo SIDIBE (since 28 September2007)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 on 29 April 2007(next to be held in April 2012); prime minister appointed by thepresidentelection results: Amadou Toumani TOURE reelected president; percentof vote - Amadou Toumani TOURE 71.2%, Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA 19.2%,other 9.6%
Maltachief of state: President George ABELA (since 4 April 2009)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 on12 January 2009 (next to be held by April 2014); followinglegislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader ofa majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by thepresident for a five-year term; the deputy prime minister isappointed by the president on the advice of the prime ministerelection results: George ABELA elected president by the House ofRepresentatives
Marshall Islandschief of state: President Jurelang ZEDKAIA (since 2November 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Jurelang ZEDKAIA (since 2 November2009)cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members ofthe legislatureelections: president elected by Nitijela (legislature) from amongits members for a four-year term; election last held 7 January 2008(next to be held in 2012)election results: Litokwa TOMEING removed as president by noconfidence vote on 21 October 2009; legislature elects ZEDKAIApresident on 26 October 2009
Mauritaniachief of state: President Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ (since5 August 2009) note - AZIZ, who deposed democratically electedPresident Sidi Ould Cheikh ABDELLAHI in a coup and installed himselfas President of Military High Council of State on 6 August 2008, waselected president in an election held 18 July 2009head of government: Prime Minister Moulaye Ould Mohamed LAGHDAF(since 14 August 2008)cabinet: Council of Ministerselections: following the August 2008 coup, the Military High Councilof State pledged to hold a new presidential election which wassubsequently scheduled and held on 18 July 2009; under Mauritania'sconstitution, the president is elected by popular vote for afive-year term; election last held on 18 July 2009 (next to be heldby 2014)election results: percent of vote - Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ 52.6%,Messaoud Ould BOULKHEIR 16.3%, Ahmed Ould DADDAH 13.7%, Other 17.4%
Mauritiuschief of state: President Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 7October 2003); 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 19 September 2008 (next to be held in 2013); primeminister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president,responsible to the National Assemblyelection results: Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH reelected president byunanimous vote; percent of vote by the National Assembly - NA%
Mayottechief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May2007); represented by Prefect Hubert DERACHE (since 22 July 2009)head of government: President of the General Council Ahmed AttoumaniDOUCHINA (since March 2008)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 on 2 July 2006 (next to be held 1 July 2012)election results: Felipe CALDERON elected president; percent of vote- Felipe CALDERON 35.89%, Andres Manuel LOPEZ OBRADOR 35.31%,Roberto MADRAZO 22.26%, other 6.54%
Micronesia, Federated States ofchief of state: President EmanuelMORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); VicePresident Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007)cabinet: Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the 8executive 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 2007 (next to be held May2011); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establishpopular elections for president and vice president failedelection results: Emanuel MORI elected president; percent ofCongress vote - NA; Alik L. ALIK elected vice president; percent ofCongress vote - NA
Moldovachief of state: Acting President Mihai GHIMPU (since 11September 2009)note: Vladimir VORONIN, president since 4 April 2001, resigned on 11September 2009; Mihai GHIMPU, the Parliamentary Speaker, replacedhim until new elections can be heldhead of government: Prime Minister Vladimir FILAT (since 25September 2009); Deputy Prime Minister Iurie LEANCA (since 25September 2009)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 have been held 5 April 2009); note - prime minister designated bythe president 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 17 September 2009; cabinetreceived a vote of confidence 25 September 2009election results: Vladimir VORONIN reelected president;parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 75, Gheorghe DUCA 1; VladimirFILAT designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of confidence -53 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: the monarchy is hereditary; minister of state appointedby the monarch from a list of three French national candidatespresented by the French Government
Mongoliachief of state: President Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ (since 18 June2009)head of government: Prime Minister Sukhbaatar BATBOLD (since 29October 2009); First Deputy Prime Minister (Norov ALTANKHUYAG (since20 September 2008); Vice Prime Minister Miegombyn ENKHBOLD (since 6December 2007)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 24May 2009 (next to be held in May 2013); following legislativeelections, leader of majority party or majority coalition is usuallyelected prime minister by State Great Huralelection results: in elections in May 2009, Tsakhia ELBEGDORJelected president; percent of vote - Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ 51.24%,Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR 47.44%, others 1.32%
Montenegrochief of state: President Filip VUJANOVIC (since 6 April2008)head of government: Prime Minister Milo DJUKANOVIC (since 29February 2008)cabinet: Ministries act as cabinetelections: president elected by direct vote for five-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 6 April 2008 (nextto be held in 2013); prime minister proposed by president, acceptedby Assemblyelection results: Filip VUJANOVIC reelected president; FilipVUJANOVIC 51.89%, Andrija MANDIC 19.55%, Nebojsa MEDOJEVIC 16.64%,Srdan MILIC 11.92%
Montserratchief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February1952); represented by Governor Peter A. WATERWORTH (since 27 July2007)head of government: Chief Minister Rueben MEADE (since 10 September2009)cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, the chiefminister, 3 other ministers, the attorney general, and the financesecretaryelections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by themonarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majorityparty usually becomes chief minister
Moroccochief of state: King MOHAMMED VI (since 30 July 1999)head of government: Prime Minister Abbas EL FASSI (since 19September 2007)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarchelections: the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed bythe 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 28 October 2009(next to be held in 2014); prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: Armando GUEBUZA relected president; percent ofvote - Armando GUEBUZA 76.3%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 14.9%, Daviz SIMANGO8.8%
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 in 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 Marcus STEPHEN (since 19 December2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Marcus STEPHEN (since 19 December2007); note - President Ludwig SCOTTY defeated in a no confidencevote in parliament on 19 December 2007cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the membersof parliamentelections: president elected by parliament for a three-year term;election last held 19 December 2007 (next to be held in 2010)election results: NA
Nepalchief of state: President Ram Baran YADAV (as of 23 July2008); Vice President Paramananda JHA (as of 23 July 2008)head of government: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar NEPAL (as of 25 May2009); Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Kumar GACHHEDARcabinet: cabinet formed in August 2008 by a majority coalition madeup of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), Communist Party ofNepal-United Marxist-Leninist, Madhesi People's Rights Forum, andseveral smaller partieselections: president elected by Parliament; term extends until thenew constitution is promulgated; election last held 21 July 2008;date of next election NAelection results: Ram Baran YADAV elected president by theConstituent Assembly in a second round of voting on 21 July 2008;Ram Baran YADAV 308, Ram Jaja Prasad SINGH 282
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); Deputy Prime Ministers Wouter BOS (since 22 February2007) and Andre ROUVOET (since 22 February 2007)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarchelections: the monarchy is hereditary; following Second Chamberelections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majoritycoalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; deputyprime 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 2010)note: government coalition - PAR, PNP, DP-St. M, UPB, WIPM Saba,DP-St. E
New Caledoniachief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16May 2007); represented by High Commissioner Yves DASSONVILLE (since9 November 2007)head of government: President of the Government Philippe GOMES(since 5 June 2009)cabinet: Cabinet consisting of 11 members elected from and by theTerritorial Congresselections: 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 7 August2007 when Harold MARTIN was elected following the resignation ofMarie-Noelle THEMEREAU as president on 24 July 2007 (next to be heldin 2012)
New Zealandchief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February1952); represented by Governor General Anand SATYANAND (since 23August 2006)head of government: Prime Minister John KEY (since 19 November2008); Deputy Prime Minister Bill ENGLISH (since 19 November 2008)cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor general on therecommendation of the prime ministerelections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed bythe monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usuallyappointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy primeminister appointed by the governor general
Nicaraguachief of state: President Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10January 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 10January 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 elected president - 38.07%,Eduardo MONTEALEGRE 29%, Jose RIZO 26.21%, Edmundo JARQUIN 6.44%
Nigerchief of state: President Mamadou TANDJA (since 22 December1999)head of government: Prime Minister Ali Badjo GAMATIE (since 2October 2009); appointed 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 of election last held 4December 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 Umaru Musa YAR'ADUA (since 29 May2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Umaru Musa YAR'ADUA (since 29 May 2007)cabinet: Federal Executive Councilelections: president is elected by popular vote for a four-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 21 April 2007 (nextto be held in April 2011)election results: Umaru Musa YAR'ADUA elected president; percent ofvote - Umaru Musa YAR'ADUA 69.8%, Muhammadu BUHARI 18.7%, AtikuABUBAKAR 7.5%, Orji Uzor KALU 1.7%, other 2.3%
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 May 2000)head of government: Premier Toke TALAGI (since 18 June 2008)cabinet: Cabinet consists of the premier and 3 ministerselections: the monarch is hereditary; premier elected by theLegislative Assembly for a three-year term; election last held 18June 2008 (next to be held in 2011)election results: Toke TALAGI defeats incumbent Young VIVIAN inLegislative Assembly vote; Toke TALAGI - 14, Young VIVIAN - 5
Norfolk Islandchief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February1952); represented by the Australian governor generalhead of government: Acting Administrator Owen WALSH (since October2007)cabinet: Executive Council is made up of 4 of the 9 members of theLegislative Assembly; the council devises government policy and actsas an advisor to the administratorelections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by thegovernor general of Australia and represents the monarch andAustralia
Northern Mariana Islandschief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA(since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20January 2009)head of government: Governor Benigno R. FITIAL (since 9 January2006); Lieutenant Governor Eloy S. INOS (since 1 May 2009)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 Constitution, residents of unincorporatedterritories, such as the Commonwealth of the Northern MarianaIslands, do not vote in elections for US president and vicepresident; however, they may vote in the Democratic and Republicanparty presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenantgovernor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-yearterms (eligible for a second term); election last held 7 November2009 (run-off election to be held on 23 November 2009)election results: percent of vote - Benigno R. FITIAL 36%, HeinzHOFSCHNEIDER 36%, Juan GUERRERO 20%, Ramon Deleon GUERRERO 8%; arun-off election between FITIAL and HOFSCHNEIDER will held on 23November 2009
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: 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)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarchelections: the monarch is hereditary
Pakistanchief of state: President Asif Ali ZARDARI (since 9September 2008)note: following President Pervez MUSHARRAF's resignation on 18August 2008, elections were held on 6 September in which Asif AliZARDARI won a clear majority; ZARDARI'S inauguration as president ofPakistan on 9 September solidified the country's return to civiliangovernment after more than eight years of military rulehead of government: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza GILANI (since 25March 2008)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president upon the advice of theprime ministerelections: the president is elected by secret ballot through anElectoral College comprising the members of the Senate, NationalAssembly, and the provincial assemblies for a five-year term;election last held on 6 September 2008 (next to be held not laterthan 2013); note - any person who is a Muslim and not less than 45years of age and is qualified to be elected as a member of theNational Assembly can contest the presidential election; the primeminister is selected by the National Assembly; election last held on24 March 2008election results: Asif Ali ZARDARI elected president; ZARDARI 481votes, SIDDIQUE 153 votes, SYED 44 votes; Syed Yousuf Raza GILANIelected prime minister; GILANI 264 votes, Pervaiz ELAHI 42 votes;several abstentions
Palauchief of state: President Johnson TORIBIONG (since 15 January2009); Vice President Kerai MARIUR (since 15 January 2009); note -the president is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Johnson TORIBIONG (since 15 January2009); Vice President Kerai MARIUR (since 15 January 2009)cabinet: NAelections: president and vice president elected on separate ticketsby popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term);election last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)election results: Johnson TORIBIONG (51%) defeats Elias Camsek CHIN(49%) for president; Kerai MARIUR elected vice president
Panamachief of state: President Ricardo MARTINELLI Berrocal (since1 July 2009); Vice President Juan Carlos VARELA (since 1 July 2009);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Ricardo MARTINELLI Berrocal (since 1July 2009); Vice President Juan Carlos VARELA (since 1 July 2009)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for five-year terms (not eligible for immediatereelection; president and vice president must sit out two additionalterms (10 years) before becoming eligible for reelection); electionlast held 3 May 2009 (next to be held in 2014)election results: Ricardo MARTINELLI Berrocal elected president;percent of vote - Ricardo MARTINELLI Berrocal 60%, Balbina HERRERA38%, Guillermo ENDARA Galimany 2%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 Puka TEMU (since 29 August 2007)cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governorgeneral on the recommendation of the prime ministerelections: the monarch is hereditary; the governor general isnominated by parliament and appointed by the chief of state;following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party orleader of the majority coalition usually is appointed prime ministerby the governor general acting in accordance with a decision of theparliament
Paraguaychief of state: President Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez(since 15 August 2008); Vice President Federico FRANCO (since 15August 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez (since 15August 2008); Vice President Federico FRANCO (since 15 August 2008)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held 20April 2008 (next to be held April 2013)election results: Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez elected president;percent of vote - Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez 40.8%, Blanca OVELAR30.6%, Lino OVIEDO 21.9%, Pedro FADUL 2.4%, other 4.3%
Peruchief of state: President Alan GARCIA Perez (since 28 July2006); First Vice President Luis GIAMPIETRI Rojas (since 28 July2006); Second Vice President Lourdes MENDOZA del Solar (since 28July 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and headof governmenthead of government: President Alan GARCIA Perez (since 28 July2006); First Vice President Luis GIAMPIETRI Rojas (since 28 July2006); Second Vice President Lourdes MENDOZA del Solar (since 28July 2006)note: Prime Minister Javier VELASQUEZ Quesquen (since 12 July 2009)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(eligible for a nonconsecutive reelection); presidential andcongressional elections held 9 April 2006 with runoff election held4 June 2006; next to be held in April 2011election results: Alan GARCIA Perez elected president in runoffelection; percent of vote - Alan GARCIA Perez 52.5%, Ollanta HUMALATasso 47.5%
Philippineschief of state: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since20 January 2001); Vice President (Manuel "Noli" DE CASTRO (since 10May 2004); note - president is both chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20January 2001)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with consent ofCommission of Appointmentselections: president and vice president elected on separate ticketsby popular vote for a single six-year term; election last held on 10May 2004 (next to be held in May 2010)election results: Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO elected president; percentof vote - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO 40%, Fernando POE 37%, threeothers 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 Mike WARREN (since 1January 2008)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 2007 (next to be heldin December 2010)election results: Mike WARREN elected mayor and chairman of theIsland Council
Polandchief of state: President Lech KACZYNSKI (since 23 December2005)head of government: Prime Minister Donald TUSK (since 16 November2007); Deputy Prime Minister Waldemar PAWLAK (since 16 November 2007)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 in the fall 2010); prime minister and deputyprime ministers 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 in January 2011); following legislative elections,the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalitionis usually 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 Barack H. OBAMA (since 20January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)head of government: Governor Luis FORTUNO (since 2 January 2009)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of thelegislatureelections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporatedterritories, such as Puerto Rico, do not vote in elections for USpresident and vice president; however, they may vote in Democraticand Republican party presidential primary elections; governorelected by popular vote for a four-year term (no term limits);election last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)election results: Luis FORTUNO elected governor with 52.8% of thevote
Qatarchief of state: Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani (since 27 June1995 when, as heir apparent, he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA binHamad al-Thani, in a bloodless coup); Heir Apparent 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 HAMAD bin Jasim bin Jabiral-Thani (since 3 April 2007); Deputy Prime Minister Abdallah binHamad al-ATIYAH (since 3 April 2007)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarchelections: the monarch is hereditarynote: in April 2007, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-memberCentral Municipal Council (CMC), which has limited consultativepowers aimed at improving the provision of municipal services; thefirst election for the CMC was held in March 1999
Romaniachief of state: President Traian BASESCU (since 20 December2004); note - President Traian BASESCU was suspended by vote ofparliament on 19 April 2007, but resumed his duties on 23 May 2007after a popular referendum confirmed that his impeachment should notstandhead of government: Prime Minister Emil BOC (since 22 December 2008)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 2004with runoff between the top two candidates held 12 December 2004(next to be held in November-December 2009); prime ministerappointed by the president with the consent of the Parliamentelection results: percent of vote - Traian BASESCU 51.23%, AdrianNASTASE 48.77%
Russiachief of state: President Dmitriy Anatolyevich MEDVEDEV(since 7 May 2008)head of government: Premier Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN (since 8May 2008); First Deputy Premiers Igor Ivanovich SHUVALOV and ViktorAlekseyevich ZUBKOV (since 12 May 2008); Deputy Premiers SergeyBorisovich IVANOV (since 12 May 2008), Dmitriy Nikolayevich KOZAK(since 14 October 2008), Aleksey Leonidovich KUDRIN (since 24September 2007), Igor Ivanovich SECHIN (since 12 May 2008), SergeySemenovich SOBYANIN (since 12 May 2008), Aleksandr DmitriyevichZHUKOV (since 9 March 2004), and Dmitry Nikolayevich KOZAK (since 14October 2008)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 2 March 2008 (nextto be held in March 2012); note - no vice president; if thepresident dies in office, cannot exercise his powers because of illhealth, is impeached, or resigns, the premier serves as actingpresident until a new presidential election is held, which must bewithin three months; premier appointed by the president with theapproval of the Dumaelection results: Dmitriy MEDVEDEV elected president; percent ofvote - Dmitry MEDVEDEV 70.2%, Gennady ZYUGANOV 17.7%, VladimirZHIRINOVSKY 9.4%, Andrey BOGDANOV 1.3%
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 September 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 Barthelemychief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16May 2007), represented by Prefect Dominique LACROIX (since 21 March2007)head of government: President of the Territorial Council BrunoMAGRAS (since 16 July 2007)cabinet: Executive Council; note - there is also an advisory,economic, social, and cultural councilelections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-yearterm; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of theFrench Ministry of Interior; president of the Territorial Council iselected by the members of the Council for a five-year termelection results: Bruno MAGRAS unanimously elected president by theTerritorial Council on 16 July 2007
Saint Helenachief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February1952)head of government: Governor and Commander in Chief Andrew GURR(since 11 November 2007)cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, 3 ex-officioofficers, and 5 elected members of the Legislative Councilelections: the monarch is hereditary; governor is appointed by themonarch
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); Deputy Prime Minister Sam CONDOR (since 6 July 1995)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general in consultationwith the prime ministerelections: 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 Stephenson KING (since 9September 2007); note - Sir John COMPTON died in office 7 September2007cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice ofthe prime ministerelections: 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 Martinchief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May2007), represented by Prefect Dominique LACROIX (since 21 March 2007)head of government: President of the Territorial Council FrantzGUMBS (since 5 May 2009)cabinet: Executive Council; note - there is also an advisoryeconomic, social, and cultural councilelection: French president elected by popular vote to a five-yearterm; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of theFrench Ministry of Interior; president of the Territorial Council iselected by the members of the Council for a five-year termelection results: Frantz GUMBS elected president by the TerritorialCouncil on 7 August 2008 but election was declared invalid on 10April 2009
Saint Pierre and Miquelonchief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY(since 16 May 2007); represented by Prefect Jean-Pierre BERCOT(since 28 July 2008)head of government: President of the Territorial Council StephaneARTANO (since 21 February 2007)cabinet: NAelections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-yearterm; election last held 6 May 2007 (next to be held in 2012);prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of theFrench Ministry of Interior; president of the Territorial Council iselected by the members of the council
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: 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: TUIATUA Tupua Tamasese Efi (since 20 June 2007)head of government: Prime Minister Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA(since 1998); Deputy Prime Minister MISA Telefoni (since 2001)cabinet: Cabinet consists of 12 members appointed by the chief ofstate on the prime minister's adviceelections: chief of state is elected by the Legislative Assembly toserve a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 15 June2007 (next to be held in 2012); following legislative elections, theleader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister bythe chief of state with the approval of the Legislative Assemblyelection results: TUIATUA Tupua Tamasese Efi unanimously elected bythe Legislative Assembly
San Marinochief of state: Co-chiefs of State Captain RegentFrancesco MUSSONI and Captain Regent Stefano PALMIERI (for theperiod 1 October 2009-31 March 2010)head of government: Secretary of State for Foreign and PoliticalAffairs Antonella MULARONI (since 3 December 2008)cabinet: Congress of State elected by the Great and General Councilfor a five-year termelections: co-chiefs of state (captains regent) elected by the Greatand General Council for a six-month term; election last held inSeptember 2009 (next to be held in March 2010); secretary of statefor foreign and political affairs elected by the Great and GeneralCouncil for a five-year term; election last held 9 November 2008(next to be held by 2013)election results: Francesco MUSSONI and Stefano PALMIERI electedcaptains regent; percent of legislative vote - NA; AntonellaMULARONI elected secretary of state for foreign and politicalaffairs; 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 BandieraMelo DE MENEZES (since 3 September 2001)head of government: Prime Minister Joachim Rafael BRANCO (since 22June 2008)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 themonarch); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-AzizAl Saud (since 1 August 2005); Deputy Prime Minister SULTAN bin Abdal-Aziz Al Saud; Second Deputy Prime Minister NAYIF bin Abd Al-AzizAl Saudcabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch every fouryears and includes many royal family memberselections: none; the monarchy 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 Soulayemane Ndene NDIAYE (since 1May 2009)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 on 25 February 2007 (next to be held in 2012); prime ministerappointed by the presidentelection results: Abdoulaye WADE reelected president; percent ofvote - Abdoulaye WADE 55.9%, Idrissa SECK 14.9%, Ousmane Tanor DIENG13.6%, Moustapha NIASSE 5.9%, other 9.7%
Serbiachief of state: President Boris TADIC (since 11 July 2004)head of government: Prime Minister Mirko CVETKOVIC (since 7 July2008)cabinet: Federal Ministries act as cabinetelections: president elected by direct vote for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 3 February 2008(next to be held in 2013); prime minister elected by the NationalAssemblyelection results: Boris TADIC elected president in the second roundof voting; Boris TADIC received 51.2% of the vote and TomislavNIKOLIC 48.8%
Seychelleschief of state: President James Alix MICHEL (since 14April 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President James MICHEL (since 14 April 2004)cabinet: 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 53.73%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN 45.71%, PhilippeBOULLE 0.56%; note - this was the first election in which PresidentJames MICHEL participated; he was originally sworn in as presidentafter former president France Albert RENE stepped down in April 2004
Sierra Leonechief of state: President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17September 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September2007)cabinet: 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 11 August 2007 and8 September 2007 (next to be held in 2012)election results: second round results; percent of vote - Ernest BaiKOROMA 54.6%, Solomon BEREWA 45.4%
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); SeniorMinister Shunmugam JAYAKUMAR (since 1 April 2009); Minister MentorLEE Kuan Yew (since 12 August 2004); Deputy Prime Minister TEO CheeHuan (since 1 April 2009) and Deputy Prime Minister WONG Kan Seng(since 1 September 2005)cabinet: appointed by president, responsible to parliamentelections: president elected by popular vote for six-year term;appointed on 17 August 2005 (next election to be held by August2011); following legislative elections, leader of majority party orleader of majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister bypresident; deputy prime ministers appointed by presidentelection results: Sellapan Rama (S R) NATHAN appointed president inAugust 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 popular vote for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 21 March and 4April 2009 (next to be held no later than April 2014); followingNational Council elections, the leader of the majority party or theleader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime ministerby the presidentelection results: Ivan GASPAROVIC reelected president in runoff;percent of vote - Ivan GASPAROVIC 55.5%, Iveta RADICOVA 44.5%
Sloveniachief of state: President Danilo TURK (since 22 December2007)head of government: Prime Minister Borut PAHOR (since 7 November2008)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 21 October and 11November 2007 (next to be held in the 8 October 2012); 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 on 21 September 2008 (next National Assemblyelections to be held in 8 October 2012)election results: Danilo TURK elected president; percent of vote -Danilo TURK 68.2%, Alojze PETERLE 31.8%; Borut PAHOR elected primeminister by National Assembly vote
Solomon Islandschief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February1952); represented by Governor General Frank KABUI (since 7 July2009)head of government: Prime Minister Derek SIKUA (since 20 December2007); note - Prime Minister Manasseh SOGAVARE defeated in a noconfidence vote in parliament on 13 December 2007; SIKUA elected on20 December 2007cabinet: Cabinet consists of 20 members appointed by the governorgeneral on the advice of the prime minister from among the membersof Parliamentelections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed bythe monarch on the advice of parliament for up to five years(eligible for a second term); following legislative elections, theleader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalitionis usually elected prime minister by parliament; deputy primeminister appointed by the governor general on the advice of theprime minister from among the members of parliament
Somaliachief of state: Transitional Federal President Sheikh SHARIFSheikh Ahmed (since 31 January 2009); note - a transitionalgoverning entity with a five-year mandate, known as the TransitionalFederal Institutions (TFIs), was established in October 2004; theTFIs relocated to Somalia in June 2004head of government: Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali SHARMARKE(since 13 February 2009)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by theTransitional Federal Assemblyelection results: Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed was elected presidentby the expanded Transitional Federal Assembly in Djibouti
South Africachief of state: President Jacob ZUMA (since 9 May2009); Executive Deputy President Kgalema MOTLANTHE (since 11 May2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Jacob ZUMA (since 9 May 2009);Executive Deputy President Kgalema MOTLANTHE (since 11 May 2009)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by the National Assembly for afive-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 6May 2009 (next to be held in 2014)election results: Jacob ZUMA elected president; National Assemblyvote - Jacob ZUMA 277, Mvume DANDALA 47, other 76
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 Minister of the Presidency) Maria TeresaFERNANDEZ DE LA VEGA (since 18 April 2004), Second Vice President(and Minister of Economy and Finance) Elena SALGADO Mendez (since 8April 2009), and Third Vice President (and Minister of RegionalAffairs) Manuel CHAVES Gonzalez (since 8 April 2009)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 on 9 and 11April 2008 (next to be held in March 2012); vice presidentsappointed by the monarch on the proposal of the presidentelection results: Jose Luis Rodriguez ZAPATERO reelected Presidentof the Government; percent of National Assembly vote - 46.94%
Sri Lankachief of state: President Mahinda Percy RAJAPAKSA (since19 November 2005); note - the president is both the chief of stateand head of government; Ratnasiri WICKREMANAYAKE (since 21 November2005) holds the largely ceremonial title of prime ministerhead of government: President Mahinda Percy RAJAPAKSA (since 19November 2005)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 on 17 November 2005(next to be held in 2011)election results: Mahinda RAJAPAKSA elected president; percent ofvote - Mahinda RAJAPAKSA 50.3%, Ranil WICKREMESINGHE 48.4%, other1.3%