chief of state: President Valdis ZATLERS (since 8 July 2007)
head of government: Prime Minister Valdis DOMBROVSKIS (since 12
March 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and
appointed by Parliament
elections: 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 the
president, confirmed by Parliament
election results: Valdis ZATLERS elected president; parliamentary
vote - Valdis ZATLERS 58, Aivars ENDZINS 39
Lebanon
chief of state: President Michel SULAYMAN (since 25 May 2008)
head of government: Prime Minister Najib MIQATI (since 25 January
2011)
cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with
the president and members of the National Assembly; note - the
Cabinet resigned on 12 January 2010 following the resignation of
over a third of the ministers
elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a six-year
term (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 25 May
2008 (next to be held in 2014); the prime minister and deputy prime
minister appointed by the president in consultation with the
National Assembly
election results: Michel SULAYMAN elected president; National
Assembly vote - 118 for, 6 abstentions, 3 invalidated; 1 seat
unfilled due to death of incumbent
Lesotho
chief of state: King LETSIE III (since 7 February 1996);
note - King LETSIE III formerly occupied the throne from November
1990 to February 1995 while his father was in exile
head of government: Prime Minister Pakalitha MOSISILI (since 23 May
1998)
cabinet: Cabinet
elections: according to the constitution, the leader of the majority
party in the Assembly automatically becomes prime minister; the
monarchy is hereditary, but, under the terms of the constitution
that came into effect after the March 1993 election, the monarch is
a "living symbol of national unity" with no executive or legislative
powers; under traditional law the college of chiefs has the power to
depose the monarch, determine who is next in the line of succession,
or who shall serve as regent in the event that the successor is not
of mature age
Liberia
chief of state: President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF (since 16
January 2006); note - the President is both the chief of state and
head of government
head of government: President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF (since 16
January 2006)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president and confirmed by the
Senate
elections: 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; percent
of vote, second round - Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF 59.6%, George WEAH
40.4%
Libya
chief of state: Revolutionary Leader Col. Muammar Abu Minyar
al-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969); note - holds no official title,
but is de facto chief of state
head 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 General
People's Congress
elections: national elections are indirect through a hierarchy of
people's committees; head of government elected by the General
People's Congress; election last held in March 2010 (next elections
expected in early 2011)
election results: NA
Liechtenstein
chief of state: Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November
1989, assumed executive powers on 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent
Prince ALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968); note - on 15
August 2004, HANS ADAM transferred the official duties of the ruling
prince to ALOIS, but HANS ADAM retains status of chief of state
head of government: Head of Government Klaus TSCHUETSCHER (since 25
March 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarch
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative
elections, the leader of the majority party in the Landtag usually
appointed the head of government by the monarch and the leader of
the largest minority party in the Landtag usually appointed the
deputy head of government by the monarch if there is a coalition
government
Lithuania
chief of state: President Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE (since 12
July 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Andrius KUBILIUS (since 27
November 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the
nomination of the prime minister
elections: 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 the
president on the approval of the Parliament
election results: Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE elected president; percent of
vote - 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
Luxembourg
chief of state: Grand Duke HENRI (since 7 October 2000);
Heir Apparent Prince GUILLAUME (son of the monarch, born 11 November
1981)
head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER (since 20
January 1995); Deputy Prime Minister Jean ASSELBORN (since 31 July
2004)
cabinet: Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister and
appointed by the monarch
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following popular elections
to the Chamber of Deputies, the leader of the majority party or the
leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by
the monarch; the deputy prime minister appointed by the monarch;
they are responsible to the Chamber of Deputies
note: government coalition - CSV and LSAP
Macau
chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March
2003)
head of government: Chief Executive Fernando CHUI Sai-on (since 20
December 2009)
cabinet: Executive Council consists of 1 government secretary, 3
legislators, 4 businessmen, 1 pro-Beijing unionist, and 1
pro-Beijing educator
elections: chief executive chosen by a 300-member Election Committee
for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last
held on 26 July 2009 (next to be held in July 2014)
election results: Fernando CHUI Sai-on elected in 2009 with 282
votes, took office on 20 December 2009
Macedonia
chief of state: President Gjorge IVANOV (since 12 May 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Nikola GRUEVSKI (since 26 August
2006)
cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of all
the deputies in the Assembly; note - current cabinet formed by the
government coalition parties VMRO/DPMNE, BDI/DUI, and several small
parties
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); two-round election: first round held
on 22 March 2009, second round held on 5 April 2009 (next to be held
in March 2014); prime minister elected by the Assembly following
legislative elections
election results: Gjorge IVANOV elected president on second-round
ballot; percent of vote - Gjorge IVANOV 63.1%, Ljubomir FRCKOSKI
36.9%
Madagascar
chief of state: President Andry RAJOELINA (since 18 March
2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Albert Camille VITAL (since 18
December 2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
elections: 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 the
president
election results: percent of vote - Marc RAVALOMANANA 54.8%, Jean
LAHINIRIKO 11.7%, Roland RATSIRAKA 10.1%, Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO 9.1%,
Norbert RATSIRAHONANA 4.2%, Ny Hasina ANDRIAMANJATO 4.2%, Elia
RAVELOMANANTSOA 2.6%, Pety RAKOTONIAINA 1.7%, other 1.6%; note -
RAVALOMANANA stepped down on 17 March 2009
note:: on 17 March 2009, democratically elected President Marc
RAVALOMANANA stepped down handing the government over to the
military, which in turn conferred the presidency on opposition
leader and Antananarivo mayor Andry RAJOELINA, who will head the
High Transition Authority; a power-sharing agreement reached in
August 2009 established a 15-month transition period, concluding in
general elections in 2010; as of December 2009 the agreement had not
been fully implemented
Malawi
chief of state: President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (since 24 May
2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (since 24 May 2004)
cabinet: 46-member Cabinet named by the president
elections: 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 of
vote - Bingu wa MUTHARIKA 66%, John TEMBO 30.7%, other 3.3%
Malaysia
chief of state: King - Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin (since 13
December 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 Mohamed
Yassin (since 9 April 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the
members of Parliament with consent of the king
elections: kings elected by and from the hereditary rulers of nine
of the states for five-year terms; selection based on principle of
rotation among rulers of states; election last held on 3 November
2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister designated from among
the members of the House of Representatives; following legislative
elections, the leader who commands the support of the majority of
members in the House becomes prime minister (since independence this
has been the leader of the UMNO party)
election results: Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin elected king
Maldives
chief of state: President Mohamed "Anni" NASHEED (since 11
November 2008); Vice President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since
11 November 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state
and head of government
head of government: President Mohamed "Anni" NASHEED (since 11
November 2008); Vice President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since
11 November 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers is appointed by the president
elections: under the new constitution, the president elected by
direct vote; president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a
second term); election last held on 8 and 28 October 2008 (next to
be held in 2013)
election results: Mohamed NASHEED elected president; percent of vote
- NASHEED 54.3%, Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 45.7%
Mali
chief of state: President Amadou Toumani TOURE (since 8 June
2002)
head of government: Prime Minister Modibo SIDIBE (since 28 September
2007)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
elections: 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 the
president
election results: Amadou Toumani TOURE reelected president; percent
of vote - Amadou Toumani TOURE 71.2%, Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA 19.2%,
other 9.6%
Malta
chief of state: President George ABELA (since 4 April 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Lawrence GONZI (since 23 March
2004)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the
prime minister
elections: president elected by a resolution of the House of
Representatives for a five-year term (eligible for a second term);
election last held on 12 January 2009 (next to be held by April
2014); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority
party or leader of a majority coalition usually appointed prime
minister by the president for a five-year term; the deputy prime
minister appointed by the president on the advice of the prime
minister
election results: George ABELA elected president by the House of
Representatives
Marshall Islands
chief of state: President Jurelang ZEDKAIA (since 2
November 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and
head of government
head of government: President Jurelang ZEDKAIA (since 2 November
2009)
cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of
the legislature
elections: president elected by Nitijela (legislature) from among
its members for a four-year term; election last held on 7 January
2008 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: Litokwa TOMEING removed as president by no
confidence vote on 21 October 2009; legislature elects ZEDKAIA
president on 26 October 2009
Mauritania
chief of state: President Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ (since
5 August 2009); note - AZIZ, who deposed democratically elected
President Sidi Ould Cheikh ABDELLAHI in a coup and installed himself
as President of the High State Council on 6 August 2008, retired
from the military and stepped down from the Presidency in April 2009
to run for president; he was elected president in an election held
on 18 July 2009
head of government: Prime Minister Moulaye Ould Mohamed LAGHDAF
(since 14 August 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers
elections: following the August 2008 coup, the High State Council
planned to hold a new presidential election in June 2009; the
election was subsequently rescheduled to 18 July 2009 following the
Dakar Accords, which brought Mauritania back to constitutional rule;
under Mauritania's constitution, the president elected by popular
vote for a five-year term; election last held on 18 July 2009 (next
to 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%
Mauritius
chief of state: President Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 7
October 2003); Vice President Monique OHSAN-BELLEPEAU (since 13
November 2010)
head of government: Prime Minister Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM (since 5
July 2005)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the prime minister
elections: president and vice president elected by the National
Assembly for five-year terms (eligible for a second term); elections
last held on 19 September 2008 (next to be held in 2013); prime
minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president,
responsible to the National Assembly
election results: Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH reelected president by
unanimous vote; percent of vote by the National Assembly - NA%
Mayotte
chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May
2007); represented by Prefect Hubert DERACHE (since 22 July 2009)
head of government: President of the General Council Ahmed Attoumani
DOUCHINA (since March 2008)
cabinet: NA
elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year
term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the
French Ministry of the Interior; president of the General Council
elected by the members of the General Council for a six-year term;
next election to be held in 2014
Mexico
chief of state: President Felipe de Jesus CALDERON Hinojosa
(since 1 December 2006); note - the president is both the chief of
state and head of government
head of government: President Felipe de Jesus CALDERON Hinojosa
(since 1 December 2006)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; note - appointment of
attorney general, the head of the Bank of Mexico, and senior
treasury officials require consent of the Senate
elections: president elected by popular vote for a single six-year
term; 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%, Roberto
MADRAZO 22.3%, other 6.5%
Micronesia, Federated States of
chief of state: President Emanuel
MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May
2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice
President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007)
cabinet: Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the 8
executive departments
elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from
among the four senators at large for a four-year term (eligible for
a second term); election last held on 11 May 2007 (next to be held
in May 2011); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to
establish popular elections for president and vice president failed
election results: Emanuel MORI elected president; percent of
Congress vote - NA; Alik L. ALIK elected vice president; percent of
Congress vote - NA
Moldova
chief of state: Acting President Marian LUPU (since 30
December 2010)
note: Vladimir VORONIN, president since 4 April 2001, resigned on 11
September 2009; Marian LUPU, the Speaker of Parliament, is serving
as acting president until new elections can be held
head of government: Prime Minister Vladimir FILAT (since 25
September 2009)
note: Vladimir Filat resigned on 27 December 2010, but was
reappointed on 31 December 2010
cabinet: Cabinet selected by president, subject to approval of
Parliament
elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term
(eligible for a second term); last successful election held on 4
April 2005, most recent (failed) election held on 10 December 2009);
note - prime minister designated by the president upon consultation
with Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime
minister-designate must request a vote of confidence from the
Parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet; prime
minister (re)designated on 31 December 2010; cabinet received a vote
of confidence on 14 January 2011
election results: Vladimir VORONIN reelected president (2005);
parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 75, Gheorghe DUCA 1; Vladimir
FILAT (re)designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of
confidence - 59 of 101
Monaco
chief of state: Prince ALBERT II (since 6 April 2005)
head of government: Minister of State Michel ROGER (since 29 March
2010)
cabinet: Council of Government under the authority of the monarch
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; minister of state appointed
by the monarch from a list of three French national candidates
presented by the French Government
Mongolia
chief of state: President Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ (since 18 June
2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Sukhbaatar BATBOLD (since 29
October 2009); First Deputy Prime Minister (Norov ALTANKHUYAG (since
20 September 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Miegombyn ENKHBOLD (since
6 December 2007)
cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister in consultation
with the president and confirmed by the State Great Hural
(parliament)
elections: presidential candidates nominated by political parties
represented in State Great Hural and elected by popular vote for a
four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on
24 May 2009 (next to be held in May 2013); following legislative
elections, leader of majority party or majority coalition usually
elected prime minister by State Great Hural
election results: in elections in May 2009, Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ
elected president; percent of vote - Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ 51.2%, Nambar
ENKHBAYAR 47.4%, others 1.3%
Montenegro
chief of state: President Filip VUJANOVIC (since 6 April
2008)
head of government: Prime Minister Igor LUKSIC (since 29 December
2010)
cabinet: Ministries act as cabinet
elections: president elected by direct vote for five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held on 6 April 2008
(next to be held in 2013); prime minister proposed by president,
accepted by Assembly
election results: Filip VUJANOVIC reelected president; Filip
VUJANOVIC 51.9%, Andrija MANDIC 19.6%, Nebojsa MEDOJEVIC 16.6%,
Srdan MILIC 11.9%
Montserrat
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February
1952); represented by Governor Peter A. WATERWORTH (since 27 July
2007)
head of government: Chief Minister Rueben MEADE (since 10 September
2009)
cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief
minister, 3 other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance
secretary
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the
monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority
party usually becomes chief minister
Morocco
chief of state: King MOHAMMED VI (since 30 July 1999)
head of government: Prime Minister Abbas EL FASSI (since 19
September 2007)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by
the monarch following legislative elections
Mozambique
chief of state: President Armando GUEBUZA (since 2
February 2005)
head of government: Prime Minister Aires Bonifacio ALI (since 16
January 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held on 28 October 2009
(next to be held in 2014); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Armando GUEBUZA reelected president; percent of
vote - Armando GUEBUZA 76.3%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 14.9%, Daviz SIMANGO
8.8%
Namibia
chief of state: President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since 21
March 2005)
head of government: Prime Minister Nahas ANGULA (since 21 March 2005)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members
of the National Assembly
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held on 27-28 November
2009 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: Hifikepunye POHAMBA reelected president; percent
of vote - Hifikepunye POHAMBA 76.4%, Hidipo HAMUTENYA 11.0%,
Katuutire KAURA 3.0%, Kuaima RIRUAKO 2.9%, Justus GAROEB 2.4%,
Ignatius SHIXWAMENI 1.3%, Hendrick MUDGE 1.2%, other 1.3%
Nauru
chief of state: President Marcus STEPHEN (since 19 December
2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Marcus STEPHEN (since 19 December 2007)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members
of parliament
elections: president elected by parliament for a three-year term;
election last held on 1 November 2010 (next to be held in 2013)
election results: Marcus STEPHEN reelected in a parliamentary vote
of 11 to 6
Nepal
chief of state: President Ram Baran YADAV (since 23 July
2008); Vice President Paramananda JHA (since 23 July 2008)
head of government: vacant; Prime Minister Madhav Kumar NEPAL
resigned on 30 June 2010 but leads a caretaker government
cabinet: cabinet was formed in May 2009 by a majority coalition made
up of the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist-Leninist, Nepali
Congress, Madhesi People's Rights Forum, Nepal-Democratic, and
several smaller parties
elections: president elected by Parliament; term extends until the
new constitution is promulgated; election last held on 21 July 2008;
date of next election NA
election results: Ram Baran YADAV elected president by the
Constituent Assembly in a second round of voting on 21 July 2008;
Ram Baran YADAV 308, Ram Jaja Prasad SINGH 282
Netherlands
chief of state: Queen BEATRIX (since 30 April 1980);
Heir Apparent WILLEM-ALEXANDER (born 27 April 1967), son of the
monarch
head of government: Prime Minister Mark RUTTE (since 14 October
2010); Deputy Prime Minister Maxime VERHAGEN (since 14 October 2010)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following Second Chamber
elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority
coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; deputy
prime ministers appointed by the monarch
note: there is also a Council of State composed of the monarch, heir
apparent, and councilors that provides consultations to the cabinet
on legislative and administrative policy