Djiboutichief of state: President Ismail Omar GUELLEH (since 8 May1999)head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed Dileita DILEITA (since 4March 2001)cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;president is eligible to hold office until age 75; election lastheld on 8 April 2005 (next to be held by April 2011); prime ministerappointed by the presidentelection results: Ismail Omar GUELLEH reelected president; percentof vote - Ismail Omar GUELLEH 100%
Dominicachief of state: President Nicholas J. O. LIVERPOOL (sinceOctober 2003)head of government: Prime Minister Roosevelt SKERRIT (since 8January 2004)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of theprime ministerelections: president elected by the House of Assembly for afive-year term; election last held on 1 October 2003 (next to beheld in 2013); prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: Nicholas LIVERPOOL consented to a second term in2008 at the request of the prime minister and leader of theopposition
Dominican Republicchief of state: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna(since 16 August 2004); Vice President Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de Castro(since 16 August 2004); note - the president is both the chief ofstate and head of governmenthead of government: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16August 2004); Vice President Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de Castro (since 16August 2004)cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the presidentelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for four-year terms; election last held on 16 May2008 (next to be held in May 2012)election results: Leonel FERNANDEZ reelected president; percent ofvote - Leonel FERNANDEZ 53.6%, Miguel VARGAS 41%, Amable ARISTY lessthan 5%
Ecuadorchief of state: President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15January 2007); Vice President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 15 January2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15January 2007); Vice President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 15 January2007)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: the president and vice president elected on the sameticket by popular vote for a four-year term and can be re-electedfor another consecutive term; election last held on 26 April 2009(next to be held in 2013)election results: President Rafael CORREA Delgado reelectedpresident; percent of vote - Rafael CORREA Delgado 52%; LucioGUTIERREZ 28.2%; Alvaro NOBOA 11.4%; other 8.4%
Egyptchief of state: President Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK (since 14October 1981)head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed Mohamed NAZIF (since 9 July2004)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (noterm limits); note - a national referendum in May 2005 approved aconstitutional amendment that changed the presidential election to amulticandidate popular vote; previously the president was nominatedby the People's Assembly and the nomination was validated by anational, popular referendum; last referendum held on 26 September1999; first election under terms of the constitutional amendmentheld on 7 September 2005 (next scheduled for 2011)election results: Hosni MUBARAK reelected president; percent of vote- Hosni MUBARAK 88.6%, Ayman NOUR 7.6%, Noman GOMAA 2.9%
El Salvadorchief of state: President Mauricio FUNES Cartagena(since 1 June 2009); Vice President Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (since 1June 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and headof governmenthead of government: President Mauricio FUNES Cartagena (since 1 June2009); Vice President Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (since 1 June 2009)cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the presidentelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held on15 March 2009 (next to be held in March 2014)election results: Mauricio FUNES Cartagena elected president;percent of vote - Mauricio FUNES Cartagena 51.3%, Rodrigo AVILA 48.7%
Equatorial Guineachief of state: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.)Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979 when he seizedpower in a military coup)head of government: Prime Minister Ignacio MILAM Tang (since 8 July2008);cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term(no term limits); election last held on 29 November 2009 (next to beheld in 2016); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointedby the presidentelection results: Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected president;percent of vote - Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO 95.8%, Placido MicoABOGO 3.6%; elections marred by widespread fraud
Eritreachief of state: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernment and is head of the State Council and National Assemblyhead of government: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993)cabinet: State Council the collective executive authority; membersappointed by the presidentelections: president elected by the National Assembly for afive-year term (eligible for a second term); the most recent andonly election held on 8 June 1993 (next election date uncertain asthe National Assembly did not hold a presidential election inDecember 2001 as anticipated)election results: ISAIAS Afworki elected president; percent ofNational Assembly vote - ISAIAS Afworki 95%, other 5%
Estoniachief of state: President Toomas Hendrik ILVES (since 9October 2006)head of government: Prime Minister Andrus ANSIP (since 12 April 2005)cabinet: Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved byParliamentelections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); if a candidate does not securetwo-thirds of the votes after three rounds of balloting in theParliament, then an electoral assembly (made up of Parliament plusmembers of local councils) elects the president, choosing betweenthe two candidates with the largest number of votes; election lastheld on 23 September 2006 (next to be held in the fall of 2011);prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliamentelection results: Toomas Hendrik ILVES elected president on 23September 2006 by a 345-member electoral assembly; ILVES received174 votes to incumbent Arnold RUUTEL's 162; remaining 9 ballots leftblank or invalid
Ethiopiachief of state: President GIRMA Woldegiorgis (since 8October 2001)head of government: Prime Minister MELES Zenawi (since August 1995)cabinet: Council of Ministers as provided for in the December 1994constitution; ministers selected by the prime minister and approvedby the House of People's Representativeselections: president elected by the House of People'sRepresentatives for a six-year term (eligible for a second term);election last held on 9 October 2007 (next to be held in October2013); prime minister designated by the party in power followinglegislative electionselection results: GIRMA Woldegiorgis elected president; percent ofvote by the House of People's Representatives - 79%
European Unionchief of union: President of the European CommissionJose Manuel BARROSO (since 2004)cabinet: European Commission (composed of 27 members, one from eachmember country; each commissioner responsible for one or more policyareas)elections: the president of the European Commission designated bymember governments and confirmed by the European Parliament; workingfrom member state recommendations, the Commission president thenassembles a "college" of Commission members; the European Parliamentconfirms the entire Commission for a five-year term; the nextconfirmation process will likely be held in January 2015note: the European Council brings together heads of state andgovernment and the president of the European Commission and meets atleast four times a year; its aim is to provide the impetus for themajor political issues relating to European integration and to issuegeneral policy guidelines; leaders of the EU member states appointedthen Belgian Prime Minister Herman VAN ROMPUY to be the firstfull-time president of the European Council in November 2009; hetook office on 1 December 2009 and will serve atwo-and-one-half-year term, renewable once; his coreresponsibilities include chairing the four summits each year andproviding continuity beyond the rotating, six-month presidencies ofthe Council of the EU
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II(since 6 February 1952)head of government: Governor Nigel HAYWOOD (since 16 October 2010)is the Queen's representative; Chief Executive Dr. Tim THOROGOOD(since 3 January 2008)cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the LegislativeCouncil, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financialsecretary), and the governor; the governor must obey the rulings ofthe Executive Council on domestic affairselections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by themonarch
Faroe Islandschief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Dan MichaelKNUDSEN, chief administrative officer (since 2008)head of government: Prime Minister Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN (since 26September 2008)cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime ministerelections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointedby the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usuallyelected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last heldon 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012)election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister in 2008;governing coalition collapses in September 2008, Kaj Leo JOHANNESSENbecomes prime minister
Fijichief of state: President Ratu Epeli NAILATIKAU (since 30 July2009)head of government: Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since 10September 2000); note - although QARASE is still the legal primeminister, he has been confined to his home island; former PresidentILOILOVATU appointed Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA interim primeminister under the military regimecabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among themembers of Parliament and responsible to Parliament; note - coupleader Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA has appointed an interim cabinetelections: under the constitution, president elected by the GreatCouncil of Chiefs for a five-year term (eligible for a second term);in 2007 the Great Council of Chiefs was suspended from its role inelecting the president; prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: Ratu Epeli NAILATIKAU was appointed by ChiefJustice Anthony GATES
Finlandchief of state: President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000)head of government: Prime Minister Mari KIVINIEMI (since 22 June2010); Deputy Prime Minister Jyrki KATAINEN (since 19 April 2007)cabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by thepresident, responsible to parliamentelections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held on 15 January 2006(next to be held in January 2012); the president appoints the primeminister and deputy prime minister from the majority party or themajority coalition after parliamentary elections and the parliamentmust approve the appointment; Prime Minister VANHANEN reelected on17 April 2007election results: percent of vote - Tarja HALONEN (SDP) 46.3%, SauliNIINISTO (Kok) 24.1%, Matti VANHANEN (Kesk) 18.6%, Heidi HAUTALA(VIHR) 3.5%; a runoff election between HALONEN and NIINISTO was held29 January 2006 - HALONEN 51.8%, NIINISTO 48.2%; Matti VANHANENreelected prime minister; election results 121-71note: government coalition - Kesk, KOK, VIHR, and SFP
Francechief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007)head of government: Prime Minister Francois FILLON (since 17 May2007)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president at thesuggestion of the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held on 22 April and 6 May 2007 (next to be held inthe spring of 2012); prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: Nicolas SARKOZY elected; first round: percent ofvote - Nicolas SARKOZY 31.2%, Segolene ROYAL 25.9%, Francois BAYROU18.6%, Jean-Marie LE PEN 10.4%, others 13.9%; second round: SARKOZY53.1%, ROYAL 46.9%
French Polynesiachief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16May 2007), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic AdolpheCOLRAT (since 7 July 2008); note - will be replaced in 2011 byRichard DIDIERhead of government: President of French Polynesia Gaston Tong SANG(since 24 November 2009); President of the Territorial AssemblyOscar TEMARU (since 10 April 2010)cabinet: Council of Ministers; president submits a list of membersof the Territorial Assembly for approval by them to serve asministerselections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-yearterm; high commissioner appointed by the French president on theadvice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of theterritorial government and the president of the Territorial Assemblyelected by the members of the assembly for five-year terms (no termlimits)
French Southern and Antarctic Landschief of state: PresidentNicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007), represented by SeniorAdministrator Christian GAUDIN (since 4 November 2010)
Gabonchief of state: President Ali Ben BONGO Ondimba (since 16October 2009)head of government: Prime Minister Paul BIYOGHE MBA (since 15 July2009)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister inconsultation with the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term(no term limits); election last held on 30 August 2009 (next to beheld in 2016); prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: President Ali Ben BONGO Ondimba elected; percentof vote - Ali Ben BONGO Ondimba 41.7%, Andre MBA OBAME 25.9%, PierreMAMBOUNDOU 25.2%, Zacharie MYBOTO 3.9%, other 3.3%note: President BONGO died on 8 June 2009 after serving as presidentfor 32 years; in accordance with the constitution he was replaced onan interim basis by the president of the Senate, Rose FrancineROGOMBE on 10 June 2009; new elections where held on 30 August 2009and the son of the former president, Ali Ben BONGO Ondimba, waselected president
Gambia, Thechief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since18 October 1996); note - from 1994 to 1996 he was chairman of thejunta; Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note- the president is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18October 1996); Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(no term limits); election last held on 22 September 2006 (next tobe held in 2011)election results: Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH reelected president; percentof vote - Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 67.3%, Ousainou DARBOE 26.6%, HalifaSALLAH 6%
Georgiachief of state: President Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (since 25January 2004); the president is the chief of state and serves ashead of government for the power ministries of internal affairs anddefensehead of government: Prime Minister Nikoloz GILAURI (since 6 February2009); the prime minister is head of government for all theministries of government except the power ministries of internalaffairs and defensecabinet: Cabinet of Ministerselections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held on 5 January 2008(next to be held in January 2013)election results: Mikheil SAAKASHVILI reelected president; percentof vote - Mikheil SAAKASHVILI 53.5%, Levan GACHECHILADZE 25.7%,Badri PATARKATSISHVILI 7.1%
Germanychief of state: President Christian WULFF (since 30 June2010)head of government: Chancellor Angela MERKEL (since 22 November 2005)cabinet: Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) appointed bythe president on the recommendation of the chancellorelections: president elected for a five-year term (eligible for asecond term) by a Federal Assembly, including all members of theFederal Diet and an equal number of delegates elected by the stateparliaments; election last held on 30 June 2010 (next to be held byJune 2015); chancellor elected by an absolute majority of theFederal Diet for a four-year term; Bundestag vote for Chancellorlast held after 27 September 2009 (next to follow the legislativeelection to be held no later than 2013)election results: Christian WULFF elected president; received 625votes of the Federal Assembly against 494 for GAUCK and 121abstentions; Angela MERKEL reelected chancellor; vote by FederalDiet 323 to 285 with four abstentions
Ghanachief of state: President John Evans Atta MILLS (since 7January 2009); Vice President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 7 January2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President John Evans Atta MILLS (since 7 January2009); Vice President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 7 January 2009)cabinet: Council of Ministers; president nominates members subjectto approval by Parliamentelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term);election last held on 7 and 28 December 2008 (next to be held on 7December 2012)election results: John Evans Atta MILLS elected president in run-offelection; percent of vote - John Evans Atta MILLS 50.23%, Nana AddoDankwa AKUFO-ADDO 49.77%
Gibraltarchief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February1952); represented by Governor Vice Admiral Sir Adrian JOHNS (since26 October 2009)head of government: Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 17 electedmembers of the Parliament by the governor in consultation with thechief ministerelections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by themonarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majorityparty or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointedchief minister by the governor
Greecechief of state: President Karolos PAPOULIAS (since 12 March2005)head of government: Prime Minister Georgios Andreas PAPANDREOU(since 6 October 2009)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation ofthe prime ministerelections: president elected by parliament for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held on 3 February 2010(next to be held by February 2015); president appoints leader of theparty securing plurality of vote in election to become primeminister and form a governmentelection results: Karolos PAPOULIAS reelected president; number ofparliamentary votes, 266 out of 300
Greenlandchief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Soeren Hald MOELLER(since April 2005)head of government: Prime Minister Kuupik KLEIST (since 12 June 2009)cabinet: Home Rule Government elected by the Parliament (Landsting)on the basis of the strength of partieselections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointedby the monarch; prime minister elected by parliament (usually theleader of the majority party)election results: Kuupik KLEIST elected prime minister
Grenadachief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);represented by Governor General Carlyle Arnold GLEAN (since 27November 2008)head of government: Prime Minister Tillman THOMAS (since 9 July 2008)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice ofthe prime ministerelections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed bythe monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usuallyappointed prime minister by the governor general
Guamchief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)head of government: Governor Eddie CALVO (since 3 January 2011);Lieutenant Governor Ray TENORIO (since 3 January 2011)cabinet: heads of executive departments; appointed by the governorwith the consent of the Guam legislatureelections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporatedterritories, such as Guam, do not vote in elections for US presidentand vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic andRepublican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenantgovernor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a four-yearterm (can serve two consecutive terms, then must wait a full termbefore running again); election last held on 2 November 2010 (nextto be held in November 2014)election results: Eddie CALVO elected governor; percent of vote -50.6%; Ray TENORIO elected lieutenant governor
Guatemalachief of state: President Alvaro COLOM Caballeros (since14 January 2008); Vice President Jose Rafael ESPADA (since 14January 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmenthead of government: President Alvaro COLOM Caballeros (since 14January 2008); Vice President Jose Rafael ESPADA (since 14 January2008)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term(may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 9 September2007; runoff held on 4 November 2007 (next to be held in September2011)election results: Alvaro COLOM Caballeros elected president; percentof vote - Alvaro COLOM Caballeros 52.8%, Otto PEREZ Molina 47.2%
Guernseychief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Fabian MALBON (since 28October 2005)head of government: Chief Minister Lyndon TROTT (since 1 May 2008);Bailiff Sir Geoffrey ROWLAND (since June 2005)cabinet: Policy Council elected by the States of Deliberationelections: the monarchy is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointedby the monarch; chief minister elected by States of Deliberationelection results: Lyndon TROTT elected chief minister, percent ofvote of the States of Deliberation NA
Guineachief of state: President Alpha Conde (since 21 December 2010)head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed Said FOFANA (since 24December 2010)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term(no term limits); candidate must receive a majority of the votescast to be elected president; election last held on 27 June 2010with a runoff election held on 7 November 2010election results: Alpha CONDE elected president in a runoffelection; percent of vote Alpha CONDE 52.5%, Cellou Dalein DIALLO47.5%
Guinea-Bissauchief of state: President Malam Bacai SANHA (since 8September 2009)head of government: Prime Minister Carlos GOMES Junior (since 25December 2008)cabinet: NAelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(no term limits); election last held on 28 June 2009 with a runoffbetween the two leading candidates held on 26 July 2009 (next to beheld by 2014); prime minister appointed by the president afterconsultation with party leaders in the legislatureelection results: Malam Bacai SANHA elected president; percent ofvote, second ballot - Malam Bacai SANHA 63.5%, Kumba YALA 36.5%
Guyanachief of state: President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 11 August1999); note - assumed presidency after resignation of PresidentJanet JAGAN and was reelected in 2001, and again in 2006head of government: Prime Minister Samuel HINDS (since October 1992,except for a period as chief of state after the death of PresidentCheddi JAGAN on 6 March 1997)cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president,responsible to the legislatureelections: president elected by popular vote as leader of a partylist in parliamentary elections, which must be held at least everyfive years (no term limits); elections last held on 28 August 2006(next to be held by August 2011); prime minister appointed by thepresidentelection results: President Bharrat JAGDEO reelected; percent ofvote 54.6%
Haitichief of state: President Rene PREVAL (since 14 May 2006)head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Max BELLERIVE (since 7November 2009)cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation withthe presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 28 November2010; runoff scheduled for 16 January 2011 (next to be held in2015); prime minister appointed by the president, ratified by theNational Assemblyelection results: 2010 results not final, initial results are underOAS review; Mirlande MANIGAT 31.37%, Jude CELESTIN 22.48%, MichelMARTELLY 21.84%, all others less than 10% each
Holy See (Vatican City)chief of state: Pope BENEDICT XVI (since 19April 2005)head of government: Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio BERTONE(since 15 September 2006)cabinet: Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican Cityappointed by the popeelections: pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals;election last held on 19 April 2005 (next to be held after the deathof the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the popeelection results: Joseph RATZINGER elected Pope BENEDICT XVI
Honduraschief of state: President Porfirio LOBO Sosa (since 27January 2010); Vice President Maria Antonieta Guillen de BOGRAN(since 27 January 2010); note - the president is both the chief ofstate and head of governmenthead of government: President Porfirio LOBO Sosa (since 27 January2010); Vice President Maria Antonieta Guillen de BOGRAN (since 27January 2010)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term;election last held on 29 November 2009 (next to be held in November2013)election results: Porfirio "Pepe" LOBO Sosa elected president;percent of vote - Porfirio "Pepe" LOBO Sosa 56.3%, Elvin SANTOSLozano 38.1%, other 5.6%
Hong Kongchief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15March 2003)head of government: Chief Executive Donald TSANG Yam-kuen (since 24June 2005)cabinet: Executive Council or ExCo consists of 15 official membersand 14 non-official memberselections: chief executive elected for five-year term by 800-memberelectoral committee; election last held on 25 March 2007 (next to beheld in 2012)note: the LegCo voted in June 2010 to expand the electoral committeeto 1,200 seats for the next electionelection results: Donald TSANG elected chief executive receiving84.1% of the vote of the election committee; Alan LEONG Kah-kitreceived 15.9%
Hungarychief of state: President Pal SCHMITT (since 6 August 2010)head of government: Prime Minister Viktor ORBAN (since 29 May 2010)cabinet: Council of Ministers prime minister elected by the NationalAssembly on the recommendation of the president; other ministersproposed by the prime minister and appointed and relieved of theirduties by the presidentelections: president elected by the National Assembly for afive-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on29 June 2010 (next to be held by June 2015); prime minister electedby the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president;election last held 29 May 2010election results: Pal SCHMITT elected president; National Assemblyvote - Pal SCHMITT 263, Andras BALOGH 58; Viktor ORBAN was electedprime minister; National Assembly vote - 261 to 107note: to be elected, the president must win two-thirds oflegislative vote in the first two rounds or a simple majority in thethird round
Icelandchief of state: President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1August 1996)head of government: Prime Minister Johanna SIGURDARDOTTIR (since 1February 2009);cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime ministerelections: president, a largely ceremonial post, elected by popularvote for a four-year term (no term limits); election last held on 28June 2004 (next to be held in June 2012); following legislativeelections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of themajority coalition usually the prime ministernote: the presidential election of 28 June 2008 was not held becauseOlafur Ragnar GRIMSSON had no challengers; he was sworn in on 1August 20082004 election results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON elected president;percent of vote - Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON 85.6%, Baldur AGUSTSSON12.5%, Astthor MAGNUSSON 1.9%;
Indiachief of state: President Pratibha Devisingh PATIL (since 25July 2007); Vice President Mohammad Hamid ANSARI (since 11 August2007)head of government: Prime Minister Manmohan SINGH (since 22 May 2004)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation ofthe prime ministerelections: president elected by an electoral college consisting ofelected members of both houses of Parliament and the legislatures ofthe states for a five-year term (no term limits); election last heldin July 2007 (next to be held in July 2012); vice president electedby both houses of Parliament for a five-year term; election lastheld in August 2007 (next to be held August 2012); prime ministerchosen by parliamentary members of the majority party followinglegislative elections; election last held April - May 2009 (next tobe held no later than May 2014)election results: Pratibha PATIL elected president; percent of vote- Pratibha PATIL 65.8%, Bhairon Singh SHEKHAWAT - 34.2%
Indonesiachief of state: President Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO (since20 October 2004); Vice President BOEDIONO (since 20 October 2009);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO (since 20October 2004); Vice President BOEDIONO (since 20 October 2009)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelections: president and vice president elected for five-year terms(eligible for a second term) by direct vote of the citizenry;election last held on 8 July 2009 (next to be held in 2014)election results: Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO elected president;percent of vote - Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO 60.8%, MEGAWATISukarnoputri 26.8%, Jusuf KALLA 12.4%
Iranchief of state: Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4June 1989)head of government: President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD (since 3 August2005); First Vice President Mohammad Reza RAHIMI (since 13 September2009)cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president withlegislative approval; the Supreme Leader has some control overappointments to the more sensitive ministriesnote: also considered part of the Executive branch of government arethree oversight bodies: 1) Assembly of Experts (Majles-Khebregan), apopularly elected body charged with determining the succession ofthe Supreme Leader, reviewing his performance, and deposing him ifdeemed necessary; 2) Expediency Council or the Council for theDiscernment of Expediency (Majma-e-Tashkhis-e-Maslahat-e-Nezam)exerts supervisory authority over the executive, judicial, andlegislative branches and resolves legislative issues on which theMajles and the Council of Guardians disagree and since 1989 has beenused to advise national religious leaders on matters of nationalpolicy; in 2005 the Council's powers were expanded to act as asupervisory body for the government; 3) Council of Guardians of theConstitution or Council of Guardians or Guardians Council (Shora-yeNegban-e Qanon-e Asassi) determines whether proposed legislation isboth constitutional and faithful to Islamic law, vets candidates inpopular elections for suitability, and supervises national electionselections: Supreme Leader appointed for life by the Assembly ofExperts; president elected by popular vote for a four-year term(eligible for a second term and third nonconsecutive term); electionlast held on 12 June 2009;(next presidential election slated forJune 2013)election results: Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD reelected president; percentof vote - Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD 62.6%, Mir-Hosein MUSAVI-Khamenei33.8%, other 3.6%; voter turnout 85% (according to official figurespublished by the government)
Iraqchief of state: President Jalal TALABANI (since 6 April 2005)head of government: Prime Minister Nuri al-MALIKI (since 20 May 2006)cabinet: Council of Ministers consists of ministers appointed by thePresidency Council plus the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministerselections: president elected by Council of Representatives(parliament) to serve a four-year term (eligible for a second term)election results: President Jalal TALABANI reelected on 11 November2010; parliamentary vote count on second ballot - 195 votes; Nurial-MALIKI reselected prime minister
Irelandchief of state: President Mary MCALEESE (since 11 November1997)head of government: Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian COWEN (since 7May 2008)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with previous nominationby the prime minister and approval of the House of Representativeselections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held on 31 October 1997(next scheduled for October 2011); note - Mary MCALEESE wasappointed to a second term when no other candidate qualified for the2004 presidential election; prime minister (taoiseach) nominated bythe House of Representatives (Dail Eireann) and appointed by thepresidentelection results: Mary MCALEESE elected president; percent of vote -Mary MCALEESE 44.8%, Mary BANOTTI 29.6%
Isle of Manchief of state: Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6February 1952); represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Paul K.HADDACKS (since 17 October 2005)head of government: Chief Minister Tony BROWN (since 14 December2006)cabinet: Council of Ministerselections: the monarchy is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointedby the monarch; the chief minister elected by the Tynwald for afive-year term; election last held on 14 December 2006 (next to beheld in December 2011)election results: House of Keys speaker Tony BROWN elected chiefminister by the Tynwald
Israelchief of state: President Shimon PERES (since 15 July 2007)head of government: Prime Minister Binyamin NETANYAHU (since 31March 2009)cabinet: Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by theKnessetelections: president largely a ceremonial role and is elected by theKnesset for a seven-year term (one-term limit); election last held13 June 2007 (next to be held in 2014 but can be called earlier);following legislative elections, the president, in consultation withparty leaders, assigns the task of forming a governing coalition toa Knesset member who he or she determines is most likely toaccomplish that taskelection results: Shimon PERES elected president; number of votes infirst round - Shimon PERES 58, Reuven RIVLIN 37, Colette AVITAL 21;PERES elected president in second round with 86 votes (unopposed)
Italychief of state: President Giorgio NAPOLITANO (since 15 May2006)head of government: Prime Minister Silvio BERLUSCONI (since 8 May2008) note - in Italy the prime minister is referred to as thepresident of the Council of Ministerscabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister andnominated by the presidentelections: president elected by an electoral college consisting ofboth houses of parliament and 58 regional representatives for aseven-year term (no term limits); election last held on 10 May 2006(next to be held in May 2013); prime minister appointed by thepresident and confirmed by parliamentelection results: Giorgio NAPOLITANO elected president on the fourthround of voting; electoral college vote - 543
Jamaicachief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);represented by Governor General Dr. Patrick L. ALLEN (since 26February 2009)head of government: Prime Minister Bruce GOLDING (since 11 September2007)cabinet: Cabinet is appointed by the governor general on the adviceof the prime ministerelections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed bythe monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; followinglegislative elections, the leader of the majority party or theleader of the majority coalition in the House of Representatives isappointed prime minister by the governor general; the deputy primeminister recommended by the prime minister
Japanchief of state: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989)head of government: Prime Minister Naoto KAN (since 8 June 2010)cabinet: Cabinet is appointed by the prime ministerelections: Diet designates the prime minister; constitution requiresthat the prime minister commands parliamentary majority; followinglegislative elections, the leader of majority party or leader ofmajority coalition in House of Representatives usually becomes primeminister; the monarchy is hereditary
Jerseychief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);represented by Lieutenant Governor Andrew RIDGEWAY (since 14 June2006)head of government: Chief Minister Terry LE SUEUR (12 December2008); Bailiff Michael BIRT (since 9 July 2009)cabinet: Cabinet (since December 2005)elections: ministers of the Cabinet including the chief minister areelected by the Assembly of States; the monarchy is hereditary;lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch
Jordanchief of state: King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999);Crown Prince HUSSEIN (born 28 June 1994), eldest son of KingABDALLAH IIhead of government: Prime Minister Samir al-RIFAI (since 9 December2009); Deputy Prime Ministers Ayman al-SAFADI, Khalid al-KARAKI,Sa'ad Hayel SROURcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister in consultationwith the monarchelections: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed bythe monarch
Kazakhstanchief of state: President Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV(chairman of the Supreme Soviet from 22 February 1990, electedpresident 1 December 1991)head of government: Prime Minister Karim MASIMOV (since 10 January2007); First Deputy Prime Minister Umirzak SHUKEYEV (since 3 March2009), Deputy Prime Ministers Yerbol ORYNBAYEV (since 29 October2007), Aset ISEKESHEV (since 12 March 2010)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held on 4 December 2005 (next to be held in 2012);prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by thepresident, with Mazhilis approval; note - constitutional amendmentsof May 2007 shortened the presidential term from seven years to fiveyears and established a two-consecutive-term limit; changes willtake effect after NAZARBAYEV's term ends; he, and only he, isallowed to run for president indefinitelyelection results: Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV reelected president;percent of vote - Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV 91.1%, Zharmakhan A.TUYAKBAY 6.6%, Alikhan M. BAYMENOV 1.6%
Kenyachief of state: President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December2002); Vice President Stephen Kalonzo MUSYOKA (since 10 January2008);head of government: President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002);Vice President Stephen Kalonzo MUSYOKA (since 10 January 2008); note- the roles of the president and prime minister are not well definedat this juncture; constitutionally, the president remains chief ofstate and head of government, but the prime minister is charged withcoordinating government businesscabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president and headed by the primeminister, who is the leader of the largest party in parliamentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(eligible for a second term); in addition to receiving the largestnumber of votes in absolute terms, the presidential candidate mustalso win 25% or more of the vote in at least five of Kenya's sevenprovinces and one area to avoid a runoff; election last held on 27December 2007 (next to be held in December 2012); vice presidentappointed by the presidentelection results: President Mwai KIBAKI reelected; percent of vote -Mwai KIBAKI 46%, Raila ODINGA 44%, Kalonzo MUSYOKA 9%
Kiribatichief of state: President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003);Vice President Teima ONORIO; note - the president is both the chiefof state and head of governmenthead of government: President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003); VicePresident Teima ONORIOcabinet: 12-member cabinet appointed by the president from among themembers of the House of Parliamentelections: the House of Parliament chooses the presidentialcandidates from among its members and then those candidates competein a general election; president elected by popular vote for afour-year term (eligible for two more terms); election last held on17 October 2007 (next to be held in 2011); vice president appointedby the presidentelection results: Anote TONG 63.7%, Nabuti MWEMWENIKARAWA 32.9%
Korea, Northchief of state: KIM Jong Il (since July 1994); note -on 9 April 2009, rubberstamp Supreme People's Assembly (SPA)reelected KIM Jong Il chairman of the National Defense Commission, aposition accorded nation's "highest administrative authority"; SPAreelected KIM Yong Nam in 2009 president of its Presidium also withresponsibility of representing state and receiving diplomaticcredentialshead of government: Premier CHOE Yong Rim (since 7 June 2010); VicePremier HAN Kwang Bok (since 7 June 2010), Vice Premier JO Pyong Ju(since 7 June 2010), Vice Premier JON Ha Chol (since 7 June 2010),Vice Premier KANG Nung Su (since 7 June 2010), Vice Premier KIM RakHui (since 7 June 2010), Vice Premier PAK Su Gil (since 18 September2009), Vice Premier RI Thae Nam (since 7 June 2010); Vice Premier ROTu Chol (since 3 September 2003)cabinet: Naegak (cabinet) members, except for Minister of People'sArmed Forces, are appointed by SPAelections: last election held in September 2003; date of nextelection NAelection results: KIM Jong Il and KIM Yong Nam were only nomineesfor positions and ran unopposed
Korea, Southchief of state: President LEE Myung-bak (since 25February 2008)head of government: Prime Minister KIM Hwang-sik (since 1 October2010)cabinet: State Council appointed by the president on the primeminister's recommendationelections: president elected by popular vote for a single five-yearterm; election last held on 19 December 2007 (next to be held inDecember 2012); prime minister appointed by president with consentof National Assemblyelection results: LEE Myung-bak elected president on 19 December2007; percent of vote - LEE Myung-bak (GNP) 48.7%; CHUNG Dong-young(UNDP) 26.1%); LEE Hoi-chang (independent) 15.1; others 10.1%
Kosovochief of state: Acting President Jakup KRASNIQI (since 27September 2010)head of government: Prime Minister Hashim THACI (since 9 January2008)cabinet: ministers; elected by the Kosovo Assemblyelections: the president elected for a five-year term by the KosovoAssembly; election last held on 9 January 2008 (next to be held - aspecial election in 2011); the prime minister elected by the KosovoAssemblyelection results: Fatmir SEJDIU reelected president after threerounds; note - resigned from the office of president on 27Septermber 2010; 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-Sabah(since 7 February 2006)head 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 Roza OTUNBAEVA (since 19 May2010); note - OTUNBAEVA became acting president on 7 April 2010following the early April 2010 riots that overthrew PresidentKurmanbek BAKIEV; she was appointed president through 31 December2011 by a 19 May 2010 decree of the provisional government, whichalso prohibited her from running in the next presidential election;she was officially sworn in on 3 July 2010head of government: Prime Minister Almazbek ATAMBAEV (since 17December 2010); First Deputy Prime Minister - Omurbek BABANOV (since17 December 2010); Deputy Prime Ministers - Shamil ATAKHANOV,Ibragim JUNUSOV, Jantoro SATYBALDIEV (since 17 December 2010)cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister,appointed by the president; ministers in charge of defense andsecurity, are appointed solely by the presidentelections: Kurmanbek BAKIEV reelected by popular vote for afive-year term; election last held on 23 July 2009 (next scheduledfor 2011); prime minister nominated by the parliamentary partyholding more than 50% of the seats; if no such party exists, thepresident selects the party that will form a coalition majority andgovernmentelection results: Kurmanbek BAKIEV elected president; percent ofvote - Kurmanbek BAKIEV 76.1%, Almaz ATAMBAEV 8.4%, Temir SARIEV6.7%, 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 THONGSING Thammavong (since 24December 2010); Deputy Prime Ministers Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (sinceMay 2002), Lt. 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 on 8 June 2006 (next to beheld in 2011); prime minister nominated by the president and electedby the National 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: Cabinet 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 on 31 May 2007(next to be held in 2011); prime minister appointed by thepresident, 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 Najib MIQATI (since 25 January2011)cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation withthe president and members of the National Assembly; note - theCabinet resigned on 12 January 2010 following the resignation ofover a third of the ministerselections: president elected by the National Assembly for a six-yearterm (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 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; 1 seatunfilled due to death of incumbent
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; themonarchy is hereditary, but, under the terms of the constitutionthat 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)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 on 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 in March 2010 (next electionsexpected in early 2011)election results: NA
Liechtensteinchief of state: Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November1989, assumed executive powers on 26 August 1984); Heir ApparentPrince ALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968); note - on 15August 2004, HANS ADAM transferred the official duties of the rulingprince to ALOIS, but HANS ADAM retains status of chief of statehead of government: Head of Government Klaus TSCHUETSCHER (since 25March 2009)cabinet: Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarchelections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislativeelections, the leader of the majority party in the Landtag usuallyappointed the head of government by the monarch and the leader ofthe largest minority party in the Landtag usually appointed thedeputy head of government by the monarch if there is a coalitiongovernment
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 on 17 May 2009(next to be held in May 2014); prime minister appointed by thepresident on 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 monarchy is hereditary; following popular electionsto the Chamber of Deputies, the leader of the majority party or theleader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister bythe monarch; the deputy prime minister appointed by the monarch;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 Fernando CHUI Sai-on (since 20December 2009)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 on 26 July 2009 (next to be held in July 2014)election results: Fernando CHUI Sai-on elected in 2009 with 282votes, took office 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 heldon 22 March 2009, second round held on 5 April 2009 (next to be heldin March 2014); prime minister elected by the Assembly followinglegislative electionselection results: Gjorge IVANOV elected president on second-roundballot; percent of vote - Gjorge IVANOV 63.1%, Ljubomir FRCKOSKI36.9%
Madagascarchief of state: President Andry RAJOELINA (since 18 March2009)head of government: Prime Minister Albert Camille VITAL (since 18December 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 on 3 December 2006(next to be held on 4 May 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 in 2010; as of December 2009 the agreement had notbeen fully implemented
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 on 19 May 2009(next to 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 elected by and from the hereditary rulers of nineof the states for five-year terms; selection based on principle ofrotation among rulers of states; election last held on 3 November2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister designated from amongthe members of the House of Representatives; following legislativeelections, the leader who commands the support of the majority ofmembers in the House becomes prime minister (since independence thishas been the leader of the UMNO party)election results: Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin elected king
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 is appointed by the presidentelections: under the new constitution, the president elected bydirect vote; president elected for a five-year term (eligible for asecond term); election last held on 8 and 28 October 2008 (next tobe held in 2013)election results: Mohamed NASHEED elected president; percent of vote- NASHEED 54.3%, Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 45.7%
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 a resolution of the House ofRepresentatives for a five-year term (eligible for a second term);election last held on 12 January 2009 (next to be held by April2014); following legislative elections, the leader of the majorityparty or leader of a majority coalition usually appointed primeminister by the president for a five-year term; the deputy primeminister appointed by the president on the advice of the primeministerelection 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 on 7 January2008 (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 the High State Council on 6 August 2008, retiredfrom the military and stepped down from the Presidency in April 2009to run for president; he was elected president in an election heldon 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 High State Councilplanned to hold a new presidential election in June 2009; theelection was subsequently rescheduled to 18 July 2009 following theDakar Accords, which brought Mauritania back to constitutional rule;under Mauritania's constitution, the president elected by popularvote for a five-year term; election last held on 18 July 2009 (nextto be held by 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 Monique OHSAN-BELLEPEAU (since 13November 2010)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); electionslast held on 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 2014
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, the head of the Bank of Mexico, and seniortreasury officials require 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 35.9%, Andres Manuel LOPEZ OBRADOR 35.3%, RobertoMADRAZO 22.3%, other 6.5%
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 on 11 May 2007 (next to be heldin May 2011); note - a proposed constitutional amendment toestablish popular 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 Marian LUPU (since 30December 2010)note: Vladimir VORONIN, president since 4 April 2001, resigned on 11September 2009; Marian LUPU, the Speaker of Parliament, is servingas acting president until new elections can be heldhead of government: Prime Minister Vladimir FILAT (since 25September 2009)note: Vladimir Filat resigned on 27 December 2010, but wasreappointed on 31 December 2010cabinet: Cabinet selected by president, subject to approval ofParliamentelections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term(eligible for a second term); last successful election held on 4April 2005, most recent (failed) election held on 10 December 2009);note - prime minister designated by the president upon consultationwith Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the primeminister-designate must request a vote of confidence from theParliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet; primeminister (re)designated on 31 December 2010; cabinet received a voteof confidence on 14 January 2011election results: Vladimir VORONIN reelected president (2005);parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 75, Gheorghe DUCA 1; VladimirFILAT (re)designated prime minister; parliamentary votes ofconfidence - 59 of 101
Monacochief of state: Prince ALBERT II (since 6 April 2005)head of government: Minister of State Michel ROGER (since 29 March2010)cabinet: Council of Government 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