chief of state: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1
April 2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April
2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president indirectly elected for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 October 2009
(next to be held in October 2014); vice president appointed by the
president
election results: Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA elected president; percent
of National Assembly vote - NA%
Brazil
chief of state: President Dilma ROUSSEFF (since 1 January
2011); Vice President Michel TEMER (since 1 January 2011); note -
the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Dilma ROUSSEFF (since 1 January 2011);
Vice President Michel TEMER (since 1 January 2011)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held on 3
October 2010 with runoff on 31 October 2010 (next to be held on 5
October 2014 and, if necessary, a runoff election on 2 November 2014)
election results: Dilma ROUSSEFF (PT) elected president in a runoff
election; percent of vote - Dilma ROUSSEFF 56.01%, Jose SERRA (PSDB)
43.99%
British Indian Ocean Territory
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II
(since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Commissioner Colin ROBERTS (since July 2008);
Administrator Joanne YEADON (since December 2007); note - both
reside in the UK and are represented by the officer commanding
British Forces on Diego Garcia
cabinet: NA
elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; commissioner and
administrator appointed by the monarch
British Virgin Islands
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6
February 1952); represented by Governor Boyd MCCLEARY (since 20
August 2010)
head of government: Premier Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 23 August 2007)
cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of
the House of Assembly
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the
monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority
party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed
premier by the governor
Brunei
chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL
Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief
of state and head of government
head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah
(since 5 October 1967)
cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by
the monarch; deals with executive matters; note - there is also a
Religious Council (members appointed by the monarch) that advises on
religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the
monarch) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of
Succession (members appointed by the monarch) that determines the
succession to the throne if the need arises
elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary
Bulgaria
chief of state: President Georgi PARVANOV (since 22 January
2002); Vice President Angel MARIN (since 22 January 2002)
head of government: Prime Minister Boyko BORISSOV (since 27 July
2009); Deputy Prime Ministers Simeon DJANKOV and Tsvetan TSVETANOV
(since 27 July 2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and
elected by the National Assembly
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term);
election last held on 22 and 29 October 2006 (next to be held in
2011); chairman of the Council of Ministers (prime minister) elected
by the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers nominated by the
prime minister and elected by the National Assembly
election results: Georgi PARVANOV reelected president; percent of
vote - Georgi PARVANOV 77.3%, Volen SIDEROV 22.7%; Boyko BORISSOV
elected prime minister; result of legislative vote - 162 to 77 with
1 abstention
Burkina Faso
chief of state: President Blaise COMPAORE (since 15
October 1987)
head of government: Prime Minister Tertius ZONGO (since 4 June 2007)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 November 2010
(next to be held in 2015); prime minister appointed by the president
with the consent of the legislature
election results: Blaise COMPAORE reelected president; percent of
popular vote - Blaise COMPAORE 80.2%, Hama Arba DIALLO 8.2%,
Benewende Stanislas SANKARA 6.3%
Burma
chief of state: Chairman of the State Peace and Development
Council (SPDC) Sr. Gen. THAN SHWE (since 23 April 1992)
head of government: Prime Minister Lt. Gen THEIN SEIN (since 24
October 2007)
cabinet: Cabinet is overseen by the military regime that assumed
power 18 September 1988 under the name State Law and Order
Restoration Council (SLORC); changed in 1997 to SPDC
elections: none
Burundi
chief of state: President Pierre NKURUNZIZA - Hutu (since 26
August 2005); First Vice President Therence SINUNGURUZA - Tutsi
(since 29 August 2010); Second Vice President Gervais RUFYIKIRI -
Hutu (since 29 August 2010); note - the president is both the chief
of state and head of government
head of government: President Pierre NKURUNZIZA - Hutu (since 26
August 2005); First Vice President Therence SINUNGURUZA - Tutsi
(since 29 August 2010); Second Vice President Gervais RUFYIKIRI -
Hutu (since 29 August 2010)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by president
elections: the president elected by popular vote for a five-year
term (eligible for a second term); note - the constitution adopted
in February 2005 permited the post-transition president to be
elected by a two-thirds majority of the parliament; elections last
held 28 June 2010 (next to be held in 2015); vice presidents
nominated by the president, endorsed by parliament
election results: Pierre NKURUNZIZA elected president by popular
vote; Pierre NKURUNZIZA 91.6%, other 8.4%; note - opposition parties
withdrew from the election due to alleged government interference in
the electoral process
Cambodia
chief of state: King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October
2004)
head of government: Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985)
[co-prime minister from 1993 to 1997]; Permanent Deputy Prime
Minister MEN SAM AN (since 25 September 2008); Deputy Prime
Ministers SAR KHENG (since 3 February 1992); SOK AN, TEA BANH, HOR
NAMHONG, NHEK BUNCHHAY (since 16 July 2004); BIN CHHIN (since 5
September 2007); KEAT CHHON, YIM CHHAI LY (since 24 September 2008);
KE KIMYAN (since 12 March 2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and
appointed by the monarch
elections: the king chosen by a Royal Throne Council from among all
eligible males of royal descent; following legislative elections, a
member of the majority party or majority coalition named prime
minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by
the king
Cameroon
chief of state: President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982)
head of government: Prime Minister Philemon YANG (since 30 June 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from proposals submitted
by the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 October 2004
(next to be held by October 2011); prime minister appointed by the
president
election results: President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote -
Paul BIYA 70.9%, John FRU NDI 17.4%, Adamou Ndam NJOYA 4.5%, Garga
Haman ADJI 3.7%
Canada
head of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
represented by Governor General David JOHNSTON (since 1 October 2010)
head of government: Prime Minister Stephen Joseph HARPER (since 6
February 2006)
cabinet: Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister usually from
among the members of his own party sitting in Parliament
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by
the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a five-year
term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority
party or the leader of the majority coalition in the House of
Commons generally designated prime minister by the governor general
Cape Verde
chief of state: President Pedro Verona Rodrigues PIRES
(since 22 March 2001)
head of government: Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1
February 2001)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 February 2006
(next to be held in 2011); prime minister nominated by the National
Assembly and appointed by the president
election results: Pedro PIRES reelected president; percent of vote -
Pedro PIRES (PAICV) 51.2%, Carlos VIEGA (MPD) 48.8%
Cayman Islands
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February
1952); represented by Governor Duncan TAYLOR (since 15 January 2010)
head of government: Premier McKeeva BUSH (since 6 November 2009)
cabinet: The Cabinet (six members are appointed by the governor on
the advice of the premier, selected from among the elected members
of the Legislative Assembly)
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; the governor appointed by the
monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority
party or coalition appointed by the governor as premier
Central African Republic
chief of state: President Francois BOZIZE
(since 15 March 2003 coup)
head of government: Prime Minister Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (since
22 January 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers
elections: under the new constitution, the president elected for a
five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held on
13 March and 8 May 2005 (next to be held on 23 January 2011); prime
minister appointed by the political party with a parliamentary
majority
election results: Francois BOZIZE elected president; percent of
second round balloting - Francois BOZIZE (KNK) 64.6%, Martin ZIGUELE
(MLPC) 35.4%
Chad
chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno (since 4
December 1990)
head of government: Prime Minister Emmanuel NADINGAR (since 5 March
2010)
cabinet: Council of State; members are appointed by the president on
the recommendation of the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
if no candidate receives at least 50% of the total vote, the two
candidates receiving the most votes must stand for a second round of
voting; last election held on 3 May 2006 (next to be held by May
2011); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno reelected president;
percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY 64.7%, Delwa Kassire
KOUMAKOYE 15.1%, Albert Pahimi PADACKE 7.8%, Mahamat ABDOULAYE 7.1%,
Brahim KOULAMALLAH 5.3%; note - a June 2005 national referendum
altered the constitution removing presidential term limits and
permitting Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno to run for reelection
Chile
chief of state: President Sebastian PINERA Echenique (since 11
March 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and
head of government
head of government: President Sebastian PINERA Echenique (since 11
March 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a single four-year
term; election last held on 13 December 2009 with runoff election
held on 17 January 2010 (next to be held in December 2013)
election results: Sebastian PINERA Echenique elected president;
percent of vote - Sebastian PINERA Echenique 51.6%; Eduardo FREI
48.4%
China
chief of state: President HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003);
Vice President XI Jinping (since 15 March 2008)
head of government: Premier WEN Jiabao (since 16 March 2003);
Executive Vice Premier LI Keqiang (17 March 2008), Vice Premier HUI
Liangyu (since 17 March 2003), Vice Premier ZHANG Dejiang (since 17
March 2008), and Vice Premier WANG Qishan (since 17 March 2008)
cabinet: State Council appointed by National People's Congress
elections: president and vice president elected by National People's
Congress for a five-year term (eligible for a second term);
elections last held on 15-17 March 2008 (next to be held in
mid-March 2013); premier nominated by president, confirmed by
National People's Congress
election results: HU Jintao elected president by National People's
Congress with a total of 2,963 votes; XI Jinping elected vice
president with a total of 2,919 votes
Christmas Island
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6
February 1952) represented by the Australian governor general
head of government: Administrator Brian LACY (since 5 October 2009)
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; administrator appointed by
the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and
Australia
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6
February 1952); represented by the Australian governor general
head of government: Administrator (nonresident) Brian LACY (since 5
October 2009)
cabinet: NA
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; administrator appointed by
the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and
Australia
Colombia
chief of state: President Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon
(since 7 August 2010); Vice President Angelino GARZON (since 7
August 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and
head of government
head of government: President Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon (since 7
August 2010); Vice President Angelino GARZON (since 7 August 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet
elections: president and vice president elected by popular vote for
a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on
30 May 2010 with a runoff election 20 June 2010 (next to be held in
May 2014)
election results: Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon elected president in
runoff election; percent of vote - Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon
69.06%, Antanas MOCKUS 27.52%
Comoros
chief of state: President Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI (since 26 May
2006)
head of government: President Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI (since 26 May
2006)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: as defined by the 2001 constitution, the presidency
rotates every four years among the elected presidents from the three
main islands in the Union; election last held on 14 May 2006 (next
to be held on 7 November 2010)
election results: Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI elected president; percent of
vote - Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI 58.0%, Ibrahim HALIDI 28.3%, Mohamed
DJAANFAMI 13.7%
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
chief of state: President Joseph
KABILA (since 17 January 2001);
head of government: Prime Minister Adolphe MUZITO (since 10 October
2008)
cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president
elections: under the new constitution the president elected by
popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term);
elections last held on 30 July 2006 and on 29 October 2006 (next to
be held on 27 November 2011); prime minister appointed by the
president
election results: Joseph KABILA elected president; percent of vote
(second round) - Joseph KABILA 58%, Jean-Pierre BEMBA Gombo 42%
note: Joseph KABILA succeeded his father, Laurent Desire KABILA,
following the latter's assassination in January 2001; negotiations
with rebel leaders led to the establishment of a transitional
government in July 2003 with free elections held on 30 July 2006 and
a run-off on 29 October 2006 confirming Joseph KABILA as president
Congo, Republic of the
chief of state: President Denis
SASSOU-Nguesso (since 25 October 1997, following the civil war in
which he toppled elected president Pascal LISSOUBA); note - the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (since 25 October
1997); note - the position of prime minister was abolished in
September 2009
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 July 2009
(next to be held in 2016)
election results: Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO reelected president; percent
of vote - Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO 78.6%, Joseph Kignoumbi Kia MBOUNGOU
7.5%, Nicephore Fylla de SAINT-EUDES 7%
Cook Islands
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February
1952) represented by Sir Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001);
New Zealand High Commissioner Linda TE PUNI (since 3 June 2010)
head of government: Prime Minister Henry PUNA (since 30 November
2010)
cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively
responsible to Parliament
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; the UK representative
appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner
appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative
elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the
majority coalition usually becomes prime minister
Coral Sea Islands
administered from Canberra by the Australian
Attorney-General's Department
Costa Rica
chief of state: President Laura CHINCHILLA Miranda (since
8 May 2010); First Vice President Alfio PIVA Mesen (since 8 May
2010); Second Vice President Luis LIBERMAN Ginsburg (since 8 May
2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Laura CHINCHILLA Miranda (since 8 May
2010); First Vice President Alfio PIVA Mesen (since 8 May 2010);
Second Vice President Luis LIBERMAN Ginsburg (since 8 May 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president
elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held on 7
February 2010 (next to be held in February 2014)
election results: Laura CHINCHILLA Miranda elected president;
percent of vote - Laura CHINCHILLA Miranda (PLN) 46.7%; Otton SOLIS
(PAC) 25.1%, Otto GUEVARA Guth (ML) 20.8%
Cote d'Ivoire
chief of state: President Alassane OUATTARA (since 4
December 2010); note - former President Laurent GBAGBO has refused
to cede power
head of government: Prime Minister Guillaume SORO (since 4 April
2007); note - on 4 December 2010, Gilbert Marie N'GBO AKE was also
appointed to the position by former president GBAGBO
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note -
under the current power-sharing agreement the prime minister and the
president share the authority to appoint ministers
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(no term limits); election last held on 31 October and 28 November
2010 (next to be held in 2015); prime minister appointed by the
president
election results: Alassane OUATTARA elected president; percent of
vote - Alassane OUATTARA 54.1%, Laurent GBAGBO 45.9%; note -
President OUATTARA was declared winner by the election commission
and took the oath of office on 4 December, Prime Minister SORO
resigned from the incumbent administration and was subsequently
appointed to the same position by OUATTARA; former president GBAGBO
refused to cede and on 5 December appointed Gilbert Marie N'GBO AKE
as Prime Minister
Croatia
chief of state: President Ivo JOSIPOVIC (since 18 February
2010)
head of government: Prime Minister Jadranka KOSOR (since 6 July
2009); Deputy Prime Ministers Bozidar PANKRETIC (since 6 July 2009),
Darko MILINOVIC (since 13 November 2009), Domagoj Ivan MILOSEVIC
(since 29 December 2010), Petar COBANKOVIC (since 29 December 2010),
Slobodan UZELAC (since 12 January 2008), Gordan JANDROKOVIC (since
29 December 2010)
cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and
approved by the parliamentary assembly
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held on 10 January 2010
(next to be held in December 2015); the leader of the majority party
or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime
minister by the president and then approved by the assembly
election results: Ivo JOSIPOVIC elected president; percent of vote
in the second round - Ivo JOSIPOVIC 60%, Milan BANDIC 40%
Cuba
chief of state: President of the Council of State and President
of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (president since 24
February 2008); First Vice President of the Council of State and
First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Jose Ramon MACHADO
Ventura (since 24 February 2008); note - the president is both the
chief of state and head of government
head of government: President of the Council of State and President
of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (president since 24
February 2008); First Vice President of the Council of State and
First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Jose Ramon MACHADO
Ventura (since 24 February 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the president of the
Council of State and appointed by the National Assembly or the
31-member Council of State, elected by the assembly to act on its
behalf when it is not in session
elections: president and vice presidents elected by the National
Assembly for a five-year term; election last held on 24 February
2008 (next to be held in 2013)
election results: Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz elected president; percent of
legislative vote - 100%; Jose Ramon MACHADO Ventura elected vice
president; percent of legislative vote - 100%
Curacao
chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30
April 1980); represented by Governor General Frits GOEDGEDRAG (since
10 October 2010)
head of government: Prime Minister Gerrit SCHOTTE (since 10 October
2010)
cabinet: Executive Council
elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by
the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the
majority party is usually elected prime minister by the parliament
Cyprus
chief of state: President Demetris CHRISTOFIAS (since 28
February 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and
head of government; post of vice president is currently vacant;
under the 1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish
Cypriot
head of government: President Demetris CHRISTOFIAS (since 28
February 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed jointly by the president and
vice president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held on 17 and 24 February 2008 (next to be held in
February 2013)
election results: Demetris CHRISTOFIAS elected president; percent of
vote (first round) - Ioannis KASOULIDES 33.5%, Demetris CHRISTOFIAS
33.3%, Tassos PAPADOPOULOS 31.8%; (second round) Demetris
CHRISTOFIAS 53.4%, Ioannis KASOULIDES 46.6%
note: Dervis EROGLU became "president" of the "TRNC" on 23 April
2010 after "presidential" elections on 18 April 2010; results -
Dervis EROGLU 50.4%, Mehmet Ali TALAT 42.9%; Huseyin OZGURGUN is
"TRNC acting prime minister"
Czech Republic
chief of state: President Vaclav KLAUS (since 7 March
2003)
head of government: Prime Minister Petr NECAS (since 28 June 2010);
First Deputy Prime Minister Karel SCHWARZENBERG (since 13 July
2010), Deputy Prime Minister Radek JOHN (since 13 July 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of
the prime minister
elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); last successful election held on 15
February 2008 (after earlier elections held 8 and 9 February 2008
were inconclusive; next election to be held in 2013); prime minister
appointed by the president
election results: Vaclav KLAUS reelected president on 15 February
2008; Vaclav KLAUS 141 votes, Jan SVEJNAR 111 votes (third round;
combined votes of both chambers of parliament)