Rulers
October 2016
1
Argentina: Former governor of La Pampa (1987-91) Néstor Ahuad dies.
Mexico: Francisco García Cabeza de Vaca takes office as governor of Tamaulipas.
San Marino: Marino Riccardi (Party of Socialists and Democrats) and Fabio Berardi (Christian Democratic Party) take office as captains-regent.
2
Cabo Verde: In presidential elections, incumbent Jorge Carlos Fonseca wins about 74% of the vote and Albertino Graça about 23%. Turnout is about 36%.
Moubelet |
Gabon: The new cabinet is named with Pacôme Moubelet Boubeya as foreign minister, Étienne Massard Kabinda Makaga as defense minister, Lambert Noël Matha as interior minister, and Mathias Otounga Ossibadjouo as budget minister.
Yemen: The president of the Supreme Political Council, Saleh al-Sammad, asks Abdul Aziz Bin Habtour to form a government. On October 4 a cabinet is named with Abu Bakr al-Qirbi as foreign minister and Gen. Hussein Khairan as defense minister.
3
Armenia: Vigen Sarkisyan is appointed defense minister.
Kaljulaid |
Estonia: Kersti Kaljulaid is elected president with 81 of 98 votes in parliament (17 ballots blank). She is sworn in on October 10.
Sint Maarten: Prime Minister William Marlin is asked to form a new government.
4
Quayle |
Curaçao: The government of Prime Minister Bernard Whiteman resigns ahead of elections. In these, on October 5, the Party MAN wins 16.2% of the vote (4 of 21 seats), the Movement for the Future of Curaçao 16% (4), the Antillean Restructuring Party 15.1% (4), Korsou di Nos Tur 10.4% (3), the People's National Party 8.8% (2), and Sovereign People 6.7% (2). Turnout is about 70%. On October 28 Kenneth Gijsbertha is named formateur.
Kove |
Georgia: Daur Kove is appointed foreign minister of Abkhazia.
Isle of Man: Parliament elects Howard Quayle as chief minister. He receives 21 votes, against 9 for Alf Cannan and 3 for Kate Beecroft.
Mexico: Javier Corral Jurado takes office as governor of Chihuahua.
Rwanda: In a cabinet reshuffle, the internal security portfolio (held by Sheikh Musa Fazil Harerimana) is abolished.
5
Chekin |
Russia: Aleksey Kolodeznikov is appointed acting prime minister of Sakha. On October 25 Yevgeny Chekin is approved by the local parliament as prime minister.
Slovakia: Former president (1993-98) Michal Kovác dies.
6
Canada: Former lieutenant governor of Prince Edward Island (2006-11) Barbara Hagerman dies.
Namibia: Former foreign minister (2002-04) Hidipo Hamutenya dies.
Alikhanov |
Russia: President Vladimir Putin accepts the resignation of the acting governor of Kaliningrad oblast, Yevgeny Zinichev, and appoints Anton Alikhanov as acting governor.
7
Aruba: Alfonso Boekhoudt is appointed as governor, effective Jan. 1, 2017.
Morocco: In parliamentary elections, the Justice and Development Party wins 125 of 395 seats, the Authenticity and Modernity Party 102, Istiqlal 46, the National Rally of Independents 37, the Popular Movement 27, the Socialist Union of Popular Forces 20, the Constitutional Union 19, and the Party of Progress and Socialism 12. On October 10 Abdelilah Benkirane is reappointed as prime minister.
Sint Maarten: Eugene Holiday is reappointed for another six-year term as governor.
9
Lithuania: In the first round of parliamentary elections, the Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats wins 22.6% of the vote (20 of 70 proportional-representation seats), the Lithuanian Peasant and Greens Union 22.5% (19), the Social Democratic Party 15% (13), the Liberals Movement 9.4% (8), the Anti-Corruption Coalition 6.3% (0), the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania-Union of Christian Families 5.7% (5), and Order and Justice 5.6% (5). Turnout is 50.6%. Only 3 of the 71 constituency seats are allocated, the rest being decided in the second round on October 23 (turnout about 38%). In total, the Lithuanian Peasant and Greens Union wins 54 of 141 seats, the Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats 31, the Social Democratic Party 17, the Liberals Movement 14, the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania-Union of Christian Families 8, and Order and Justice 8.
Mali: Former prime minister (1986-88) Mamadou Dembélé dies.
10
Plenkovic | 
Stier |
Croatia: President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic asks Andrej Plenkovic to form a new government. It is voted in by parliament (91-45) on October 19, with Davor Ivo Stier as foreign minister and Damir Krsticevic as defense minister; Vlaho Orepic remains interior minister and Zdravko Maric finance minister.
Freeman |
Turks and Caicos Islands: Governor Peter Beckingham departs. On October 17 John Freeman is sworn in as governor.
11
Kiribati: Former president (1991-94) Teatao Teannaki dies.
12
Mexico: The governor of Veracruz, Javier Duarte de Ochoa, resigns. Flavino Ríos Alvarado becomes interim governor.
13
Canada: Former premier of Alberta (2014-15) Jim Prentice is killed in a plane crash.
Thailand: King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies. Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn asks for a delay in being proclaimed king. Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda accordingly becomes regent.
United Nations: The General Assembly approves by acclamation António Guterres (Portugal) as the next secretary-general (from Jan. 1, 2017).
14
Libya: Khalifa al-Ghawail proclaims the reinstatement of his Tripoli-based government, but that of Fayez al-Sarraj appears to remain in control.
Malaysia: The sultan of Kelantan, Muhammad V ibni Sultan Ismail Petra, is elected as paramount ruler (yang di-pertuan agong), to take office December 13.
Tonga: Penisimani Fifita is sworn in as internal affairs minister.
15
Australia: In parliamentary elections in the Australian Capital Territory, the Labour Party wins 38.4% of the vote (12 of 25 seats), the Liberal Party 36.8% (11), and the Greens 10.2% (2). Turnout is 87.1%.
Canada: In mayoral elections in Halifax, incumbent Mike Savage wins 68.4% of the vote and Lil MacPherson 31.6%. Turnout is 31.8%.
Czech Republic: In elections to 27 of 81 seats in the Senate, held in two rounds on October 7-8 (turnout 33.5%) and October 14-15 (turnout 15.4%), the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL) win 9 seats, Mayors and Independents 3, ANO 2011 3, the Civic Democratic Party 3, the Social Democrats (CSSD) 2, TOP 09 2, and North Bohemians 2.
16
Japan: In gubernatorial elections in Niigata, Ryuichi Yoneyama wins 52.2% of the vote and Tamio Mori 45.9%. Turnout is 53.1%. Yoneyama takes office October 25.
Montenegro: In parliamentary elections, the Democratic Party of Socialists wins 41.4% of the vote (36 of 81 seats), the Democratic Front 20.3% (18), the Key Coalition 11.1% (9), Democratic Montenegro 10% (8), and the Social Democratic Party 5.2% (4). Turnout is 73.3%. On October 26 Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic announces his resignation, his Democratic Party of Socialists having chosen to nominate Dusko Markovic as prime minister.
Portugal: In parliamentary elections in the Azores, the Socialist Party wins 46.4% of the vote (30 of 57 seats), the Social Democratic Party 30.9% (19), the People's Party 7.2% (4), and the Left Bloc 3.7% (2). Turnout is 40.8%.
Rwanda: Former king (1959-61) Kigeri V Ndahindurwa dies.
Faure |
Seychelles: Danny Faure is sworn in as president. On October 28 Vincent Meriton is sworn in as vice president. On October 29 the new government is named with Faure taking the portfolios of foreign affairs and defense, while Mitcy Larue becomes internal affairs minister and Peter Larose finance minister.
17
Russia: Former governor of Koryak autonomous okrug (2000-05) Vladimir Loginov dies.
18
Botelho |
São Tomé and Príncipe: A reshuffled government is sworn in. Urbino Botelho becomes foreign minister, while Interior Minister Arlindo Ramos additionally takes the defense portfolio.
19
Belize: In a cabinet reshuffle, Prime Minister Dean Barrow takes over the home affairs portfolio.
Dominica: A no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit is defeated (14-0).
Niger: In a cabinet reshuffle, Kalla Moutari is appointed defense minister and Hassoumi Massoudou finance minister.
23
Japan: In gubernatorial elections in Okayama, incumbent Ryuta Ibaragi wins 88.6% of the vote and Kanji Uemoto 11.4%; turnout is 33.9%. In Toyama, incumbent Takakazu Ishii wins 85.3% of the vote and Kanji Kometani 14.7%; turnout is 35.3%.
Qatar: Former prime minister (1970-95), foreign minister (1971-72), and emir (1972-95) Sheikh Khalifa ibn Hamad Al Thani dies.
24
Uruguay: Former president (2000-05) Jorge Batlle dies.
25
Honduras: Former foreign minister (1972-74) César A. Batres dies.
Spain: Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy accepts a new mandate from King Felipe VI to form a government. In a first round of voting on October 27, parliament refuses (180-170) to confirm Rajoy as prime minister. In the second round, on October 29, parliament confirms Rajoy (170-111 with 68 abstentions). He is sworn in on October 31.
26
Cameroon: Former foreign minister (1984-87) William Eteki (also secretary-general of the Organization of African Unity 1974-78) dies.
Canada: In mayoral elections in Regina, incumbent Michael Fougere wins 70.3% of the vote, Tony Fiacco 11.5%, and Jim Elliott 9.3%.
Indonesia: Nata Irawan is sworn in as acting governor of Banten and Soni Sumarsono as acting governor of Jakarta. On October 27 Yuswandi Arsyad Temenggung is sworn in as acting governor of Bangka-Belitung, Zudan Arif Fakrulloh as acting governor of Gorontalo, and Soedarmo as acting governor of Aceh. All five appointments are effective October 28.
Kyrgyzstan: The government of Prime Minister Sooronbay Jeenbekov resigns.
27
Greenland: A new government is formed with Aqqaluaq B. Egede as finance minister.
28
Congo (Kinshasa): The provincial assembly of Tshuapa votes (12-3) a motion of no confidence in Governor Cyprien Lomboto, and the deputy governor, Marie-Josée Ifoku, becomes acting governor.
Grenada: Sir Nicholas Brathwaite, former prime minister (1983-84, 1990-95), dies.
India: Former chief minister of Goa, Daman and Diu (1973-79) Shashikala G. Kakodkar dies.
29
Cambodia: Former prime minister (1981) Pen Sovan dies.
Iceland: In parliamentary elections, the Independence Party wins 29% of the vote (21 of 63 seats), the Left-Green Movement 15.9% (10), the Pirate Party 14.5% (10), the Progressive Party 11.5% (8), Regeneration 10.5% (7), Bright Future 7.2% (4), and the Social Democratic Alliance 5.7% (3). Turnout is 79.2%. Prime Minister Sigurdur Ingi Jóhannsson resigns on October 30.
30
Georgia: In parliamentary elections held on October 8 (turnout 51.6%) with runoffs on October 30 (turnout 37.5%), Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia wins 48.7% of the vote (115 of 150 seats), the United National Movement 27.1% (27), and the Alliance of Patriots of Georgia-United Opposition 5% (6).
Moldova: In presidential elections, Igor Dodon (Socialist Party) wins 48% of the vote, Maia Sandu (Action and Solidarity Party) 38.7%, and Dumitru Ciubasenco (Our Party) 6%. Turnout is 49.2%. A runoff is to be held on November 13.
31
China: Cai Qi is appointed acting mayor of Beijing.
Aoun |
Lebanon: In its 46th attempt, parliament finally ends a 2½-year deadlock and elects Michel Aoun as president. In a first round of voting, he wins 84 votes, short of the two-thirds (86 of 128) required, but in the second, with 50% sufficient, he is elected with 83 votes. He is immediately sworn in.
Organization of Islamic Cooperation: Secretary-General Iyad Madani resigns. Saudi Arabia nominates Yusuf al-Othaimeen to replace him.
Paraguay: Tadeo Rojas is named interior minister.
Saudi Arabia: Muhammad al-Jadaan is appointed to replace Ibrahim al-Assaf as finance minister.