June 2005

1

China: Henry Tang becomes acting chief executive after the State Council approved the resignation of Donald Tsang. On June 16 a 796-member electoral college chooses Tsang as chief executive; he is declared elected as the only valid candidate. Tsang is officially appointed to the post on June 21 and sworn in on June 24.
India: Former governor of Haryana (1976) and Punjab (1977) Ranjit Singh Narula dies.
Mexico: Interior Minister Santiago Creel resigns to launch a presidential campaign. On June 2 President Vicente Fox names Carlos Abascal as interior minister.
Monaco: Jean-Paul Proust is sworn in as minister of state.
Switzerland: Mario Annoni becomes president of the government of Bern, Willi Haag president of the government of Sankt Gallen, and Roland Eberle president of the government of Thurgau.
World Bank: Paul Wolfowitz takes office as president.

2

Douste-Blazy

France: The cabinet of Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin is unveiled. Philippe Douste-Blazy becomes foreign minister and Nicolas Sarkozy interior minister, while Michèle Alliot-Marie remains defense minister and Thierry Breton finance minister. The government wins votes of confidence in the National Assembly on June 8 (363-178 with 4 abstentions) and in the Senate on June 9 (174-126).
Papua New Guinea: In elections held from May 20 to June 2, Joseph Kabui of the Bougainville People's Congress is elected as president of the Bougainville Autonomous Government with 54.7% of the votes against 34.4% for former governor John Momis of the New Bougainville Party. The 39 members of a House of Representatives are also elected. Kabui is sworn in on June 15. Mathias Salas is appointed as finance minister on June 23.

Silveira

São Tomé and Príncipe: Prime Minister Damião Vaz d'Almeida resigns. On June 7 Maria do Carmo Silveira is nominated to lead a new government. On June 8 her government is approved, in which she also becomes finance minister, other key ministries remaining unchanged.

3

African Union: Former secretary-general of the Organization of African Unity (1972-74) Nzo Ekangaki dies.
Andorra: The new government headed by Albert Pintat Santolària is sworn in. It includes Ferran Mirapeix as finance minister; Juli Minoves Triquell remains foreign minister and Josep Maria Cabanes interior minister.

4

Russia: President Vladimir Putin nominates incumbent Aleksey Chernyshev as governor of Orenburg oblast. On June 15 Chernyshev is confirmed by the local legislative assembly (42-0 with 1 abstention).
United States: In mayoral elections in El Paso, John Cook (Democrat) defeats incumbent Joe Wardy (Democrat), 52.4%-47.6%. Turnout is 7.4%. Cook is sworn in on June 13.

5

Lebanon: In the second round of parliamentary elections, the Amal Movement wins 6 of 23 seats in southern Lebanon and its allies, the Resistance and Development Bloc, 7, the Hezbollah 5 and its allies 1, the Nasserite Popular Movement 1, the Syrian National Socialist Party 1, the Lebanon Baath Party Branch 1, and the Future Tide Movement 1. Turnout is about 45%.
Singapore: Former acting president (1985) Wee Chong Jin dies.

6

Rodríguez

Bolivia: President Carlos Mesa submits his resignation to Congress. It is accepted on June 9. Hormando Vaca Díez (president of the Congress) and Mario Cossío (president of the Chamber of Deputies), who would have been first and second in line to become president, refuse to assume the post, allowing the president of the Supreme Court, Eduardo Rodríguez, to take the office. On June 14 Rodríguez swears in a new cabinet, including Armando Loaiza as foreign minister, Gonzalo Méndez as defense minister, Gustavo Ávila as interior minister, and Luis Carlos Jemio staying on as finance minister.
Hungary: Parliament fails to elect a new president in the first round of voting when Katalin Szili, nominee of the Socialist Party, receives 183 votes, while 13 deputies vote for opposition candidate László Sólyom; the support of 278 of the 396 lawmakers would have been needed. The following day, a second round is held with Sólyom receiving 185 votes and Szili 178, and in the third round (with a simple majority sufficient) Sólyom is elected with 185 votes against 182 for Szili. Sólyom is sworn in immediately but will take office only in August.
India: Pratapsing Rane is designated as chief minister of Goa. He is sworn in on June 7.
Syria: Vice President Abdul-Halim Khaddam announces his resignation.

7

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Prime Minister Adnan Terzic accepts the resignation of Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic, submitted six months ago. Terzic on June 9 appoints Ana Trisic-Babic as acting foreign minister, although Ivanic maintains that he remains in office until a regular successor is in place.

Mamsurov

Merkulov

Russia: The parliament of North Ossetia-Alania approves the resignation of President Aleksandr Dzasokhov. On the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin nominates Taimuraz Mamsurov to succeed Dzasokhov, the local parliament confirms Mamsurov (62-1), and he is sworn in. On June 9 Mamsurov nominates Aleksandr Merkulov as prime minister; he is confirmed by the local parliament on June 11 (59-0).
United States: In the mayoral runoff in San Antonio, Phil Hardberger wins 51.5% of the vote and Julián Castro 48.5%. Turnout is 18.8%. Hardberger is sworn in on June 17.

8

Togo: Edem Kodjo is named prime minister. He is sworn in on June 9. On June 20 he presents his new cabinet. Zarifou Ayéva is foreign minister, Kpatcha Gnassingbé defense minister, Payadowa Boukpessi finance minister, Katari Foli-Bazi minister of territorial administration, and Col. Pitalouna-Ani Laokpessi minister of security.

9

Sri Lanka: Reggie Ranatunga is sworn in as governor of Sabaragamuwa.

10

Nicaragua: Defense Minister José Adán Guerra Pastora resigns. On June 21 Avil Ramírez is sworn in as defense minister.
United States: Former Nebraska governor (1971-79) J. James Exon dies.

11

Portugal: Former prime minister (1974-75) Vasco dos Santos Gonçalves dies.

12

Iraq: The Kurdish parliament unanimously elects Massoud Barzani as president of the autonomous region of Kurdistan. He is sworn in on June 14.
Lebanon: In the third round of parliamentary elections, Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement wins 15 of 58 seats, the Progressive Socialist Party 14, the Zahleh Dignity and Bekaa Accord Bloc 6, the Future Tide Movement 5, the Hezbollah 4 and its allies 3, independents 3, the Lebanese Forces 2, Amin Gemayel's Kataeb Reform Movement 2, the Amal Movement 2, the Syrian National Socialist Party 1, and the Kataeb Party 1. Turnout is 54% in Mount Lebanon and 52% in the Bekaa Valley.
Russia: President Vladimir Putin nominates incumbents Vladimir Chub as governor of Rostov oblast, Viktor Maslov as governor of Smolensk oblast, and Murat Zyazikov as president of Ingushetia. Chub is confirmed by the local legislative assembly on June 14 (40-1). Zyazikov is confirmed by the local People's Assembly on June 15 (30-1). Maslov is unanimously confirmed by the local Duma on June 24.

13

Doté

Central African Republic: President François Bozizé names Élie Doté as prime minister with immediate effect, replacing Célestin Gaombalet who resigned June 11. On June 19 a government is announced with Jean-Paul Ngoupandé as foreign minister and Théodore Dabanga as finance minister; Bozizé remains defense minister and Michel Sallé interior minister.
Greece: Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis wins a parliamentary confidence vote (165-120).

14

The Gambia: Alieu Ngum is appointed finance minister.
Iraq: Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari's government wins an "almost unanimous" vote of confidence in the National Assembly.
South Africa: President Thabo Mbeki dismisses Deputy President Jacob Zuma. On June 22 Mbeki appoints Minerals and Energy Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka as new deputy president; she is sworn in on June 23.

15

The Sudan: Interior Minister Abdel Rahim Mohamed Hussein resigns.
United Nations: António Guterres takes office as high commissioner for refugees.

16

Guernsey: Geoffrey Rowland is installed as bailiff.
Jordan: Finance Minister Bassem Awadallah resigns.
Russia: The president of separatist Chechnya, Abdul-Khalim Sadulayev, appoints Doku Umarov as vice president.

17

Iran: In presidential elections, former president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani wins 21% of the vote, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad 19.5%, Mehdi Karroubi 17.3%, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf 13.9%, Mostafa Moin 13.8%, Ali Larijani 5.9%, and Mohsen Mehralizadeh 4.4%. Turnout is 62.7%. A runoff is held June 24, and Ahmadinejad is elected with 61.7% of the vote against 35.9% for Rafsanjani. Turnout is 59.8%. Ahmadinejad will take office on August 3.

18

Australia: In elections in the Northern Territory, the Australian Labor Party wins 52.8% of the vote (19 of 25 seats), the Country Liberal Party 34.7% (4), and independents 8.3% (2). Turnout is 66.2%.
Venezuela: Former foreign minister (1984-85) Isidro Morales Paúl dies.

19

Azerbaijan: In parliamentary elections in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Democratic Party of Artsakh wins 37.6% of the vote (12 of 33 seats), the Free Motherland Party 26.7% (10), the ARF Dashnaktsutyun-Movement 88 Bloc 24.4% (3); independents win 8 seats. Turnout is 73.6%.
Guinea-Bissau: In presidential elections, former acting president Malam Bacai Sanhá wins 35.5% of the vote, former president João Bernardo Vieira 28.9%, former president Kumba Ialá 25%, and former prime minister Francisco Fadul 2.9%. Turnout is 87.3%. A runoff is to be held on July 24.
Lebanon: In the fourth and final round of parliamentary elections, independents win 12 of 28 seats in northern Lebanon, the Future Tide Movement (FTM) 7, the Lebanese Forces 4, the Qornet Shehwan Gathering 3, the Democratic Renewal Movement 1, and the Democratic Left Grouping 1. This gives a total of 72 of 128 seats for the Opposition Bloc (including the FTM, the Progressive Socialist Party, the Lebanese Forces, the Qornet Shehwan Gathering, and their allies), 35 for the Hezbollah, Amal, and their allies, and 21 for the Free Patriotic Movement and its allies. On June 21 Prime Minister Najib Mikati tenders the resignation of his cabinet as required by the constitution. On June 30 President Émile Lahoud designates Fouad Siniora as prime minister.
Spain: In elections in Galicia, the People's Party wins 44.9% of the vote (37 of 75 seats), the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party 32.5% (25), and the Nationalist Bloc of Galicia 19.6% (13). Turnout is 68.1%.
Sri Lanka: The chief minister of Western province, Reginald Cooray, resigns. On June 22 Nandana Mendis is sworn in as new chief minister.

20

Indonesia: In gubernatorial elections in Sulawesi Utara, Sinyo Harry Sarundajang is elected with 38.9% of the vote, defeating Ferry F.X. Tinggogoy (20.9%), Adolf Jouke Sondakh (16.5%), Wenny Warouw (15.9%), and Hengky Baramuli (7.9%).

Kerimkulov

Kyrgyzstan: Prime Minister Kurmanbek Bakiyev and First Deputy Prime Minister Feliks Kulov temporarily suspend their powers until the July 10 presidential elections. Medetbek Kerimkulov, the other first deputy prime minister, is now acting for Bakiyev (who remains acting president).

21

Guyana: Gail Teixeira (currently acting in the post) is named home affairs minister.

22

Germany: The Landtag of Nordrhein-Westfalen elects Jürgen Rüttgers as minister-president.
Haiti: Paul Gustave Magloire replaces Georges Moïse as interior minister.
India: Former governor of Bihar (1998-99) and Gujarat (1999-2003) Sunder Singh Bhandari dies.
Indonesia: Former governor of Jawa Barat (1960-70) Mashudi dies.
South Korea: Defense Minister Yoon Kwang Ung submits his resignation, but it is rejected by President Roh Moo Hyun on June 28.
Sri Lanka: Former governor of Central province (1998-2000) Stanley Tillekeratne dies.

23

Australia: Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson announces his resignation, to be effective in mid-July.
Indonesia: Agustin Teras Narang wins gubernatorial elections in Kalimantan Tengah with 44% of the vote, defeating Asmawi Agani (20.6%), A.Dj. Nihin (20.3%), S.A. Fawzy (10.7%), and Usop (4.5%).
Spain: Juan José Ibarretxe is reelected president of the government of País Vasco/Euskadi with 34 votes against 33 for Patxi López.

24

Mongolia: Nambaryn Enkhbayar is inaugurated as president.

25

Bulgaria: In parliamentary elections, the Coalition for Bulgaria (led by the Bulgarian Socialist Party) wins 31.1% of the vote (82 of 240 seats), the National Movement Simeon II 19.9% (53), the Movement for Rights and Freedoms 12.7% (34), the Attack coalition 8.2% (21), the Union of Democratic Forces 7.7% (20), Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria 6.5% (17), and the Bulgarian People's Union 5.2% (13). Turnout is 55.8%.

26

Indonesia: In gubernatorial elections in Jambi, Zulkifli Nurdin is elected with 80.2% of the vote, defeating Hasip Kalimuddin Syam (13.2%) and Usman Ermulan (6.7%).

27

Indonesia: In gubernatorial elections in Bengkulu, Agusrin M. Najamudin wins 23.4% of the vote, H. Muslihan 20.6%, Sudirman Ail 20.3%, Salman Rupni 18.6%, Kurnia Utama 12.3%, and H.A. Zamzili Radjawali 4.8%. A runoff between Najamudin and Muslihan is to be held on October 3. In Sumatera Barat, Gamawan Fauzi is elected governor with 41.5% of the vote, defeating Irwan Prayitno (24.5%), Jeffrie Geofanny (16.1%), Leonardy Harmainy (10.3%), and Kapitra Ampera (7.7%).

28

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Ivo Miro Jovic becomes chairman of the Presidency.

29

Georgia: Finance Minister Valeri Chechelashvili resigns. On June 30 Aleksi Aleksishvili is appointed finance minister.
Indonesia: Former foreign minister (1956-57) Roeslan Abdulgani dies.
Réunion: Laurent Cayrel is appointed prefect. He is to take over in early July.

30

Indonesia: In gubernatorial elections in Kepulauan Riau, Ismeth Abdullah wins 60.7% of the vote, defeating Nyat Kadir (33.9%) and Rizal Zen (5.4%). In Kalimantan Selatan, Rudy Ariffin is elected with 32.4%, defeating Ismet Ahmad (27.9%), H. Gusti Iskandar Sukma Alamsyah (21.4%), Sjachriel Darham (12.3%), and M. Ramlan (6%).
Russia: In Ingushetia, the parliament approves Ibragim Malsagov as prime minister.