Rulers
November 2017
1
Japan: Shinzo Abe is reelected prime minister, winning 312 votes in the 465-seat lower house. He appoints an unchanged cabinet.
Kuwait: The emir reappoints Sheikh Jabir Mubarak Al Hamad Al Sabah as prime minister.
Liberia: The Supreme Court orders the presidential runoff scheduled for November 7 halted while the results of the first round are challenged.
 Cassis |
Solomon Islands: Moses Garu is sworn in as home affairs minister and Jimson Fiau Tanangada as minister of national security.
Switzerland: Ignazio Cassis takes office as foreign minister.
United Kingdom: Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon resigns. On November 2 Gavin Williamson is appointed in his place.
2
 Jakobsdóttir |
Iceland: Katrín Jakobsdóttir (Left-Green Movement) is asked to form a government. She takes office as prime minister on November 30, with Bjarni Benediktsson as finance minister and Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson remaining foreign minister.
 Boasman |
Sint Maarten: Parliament passes a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister William Marlin (8-6). On November 7 Governor Eugene Holiday names Franklin Meyers as formateur of an interim government. On November 10 parliament votes to discharge Marlin and to have his deputy Rafael Boasman become interim prime minister, calling on Governor Holiday to effectuate the change. On November 24 the Dutch government asks Holiday to dismiss Marlin without delay and Marlin resigns on the same date, being replaced in an acting capacity by Boasman.
3
Bangladesh: Former president (1991-96) Abdur Rahman Biswas dies.
4
Lebanon: Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigns while in Saudi Arabia. President Michel Aoun subsequently says he will wait for Hariri to return before acting on the matter. On November 22, back in Lebanon, Hariri agrees to put his resignation on hold.
Slovakia: Results of gubernatorial elections:
- Banskobystrický kraj: Ján Lunter is elected with 48.5% of the vote, defeating incumbent Marian Kotleba (23.2%), Igor Kasper (10.6%), and Martin Juhaniak (9.7%); turnout is 40.3%.
- Bratislavský kraj: Juraj Droba is elected with 20.4% of the vote, defeating Rudolf Kusý (18.6%), Milan Ftácnik (17.5%), Ján Mrva (16%), and incumbent Pavol Freso (10.9%); turnout is 31.3%.
- Kosický kraj: Rastislav Trnka is elected with 37.8% of the vote, defeating Richard Rasi (37.2%) and Karol Pataky (9.4%); turnout is 26.7%.
- Nitriansky kraj: Incumbent Milan Belica is reelected with 34.1% of the vote, defeating Ján Gresso (17.2%), Milan Uhrík (15.4%), Peter Oremus (14.9%), and Iván Farkas (13.8%); turnout is 26.8%.
- Presovský kraj: Milan Majerský is elected with 40.4% of the vote, defeating incumbent Peter Chudík (30.6%) and Jozef Mihalcin (7.1%); turnout is 29.4%.
- Trenciansky kraj: Incumbent Jaroslav Baska is reelected with 50% of the vote, defeating Renáta Kascáková (25.1%) and Stefan Skultéty (13.9%); turnout is 26.3%.
- Trnavský kraj: Jozef Viskupic is elected with 42.9% of the vote, defeating incumbent Tibor Mikus (30.6%) and József Berényi (17.1%); turnout is 24.7%.
- Zilinský kraj: Erika Jurinová is elected with 43.7% of the vote, defeating incumbent Juraj Blanár (29.8%) and Marián Murín (10.3%); turnout is 33.8%.
5
Canada: In mayoral elections in Montreal, Valérie Plante wins 51.4% of the vote and incumbent Denis Coderre 45.6%; turnout is 42.5%; Plante is sworn in November 16. In Québec, incumbent Régis Labeaume wins 55.3%, Jean-François Gosselin 27.6%, and Anne Guérette 14.6%; turnout is 50.9%. In Gatineau, incumbent Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin is reelected with 45.1% of the vote, against 30% for Denis Tassé and 17.5% for Sylvie Goneau; turnout is 38.5%.
 Musumeci |
Italy: In presidential elections in Sicilia, Nello Musumeci (centre-right) is elected with 39.8% of the vote, while Giancarlo Cancelleri (Five Star Movement) wins 34.7% and Fabrizio Micari (centre-left) 18.7%. Musumeci takes office November 18.
6
 Hou |
Solomon Islands: Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is ousted in a parliamentary no-confidence vote (27-23). On November 15 Rick Hou is elected prime minister, receiving 33 votes against 16 for John Moffat Fugui. On November 16 most of Hou's cabinet is sworn in, including Sogavare as finance minister, Jimson Fiau Tanangada as home affairs minister, and Moses Garu as national security minister. On November 17 the remaining ministers are sworn in, including Milner Tozaka, reappointed as foreign minister. On November 30, the High Court invalidates the election to parliament of Tanangada, thus depriving him of his ministerial portfolio.
Zimbabwe: Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa is removed from his post.
7
United States: In gubernatorial elections in New Jersey, Phil Murphy (Democrat) defeats Kim Guadagno (Republican), 56%-42%. In Virginia, Ralph Northam (Dem.) defeats Ed Gillespie (Rep.), 54%-45%. Results of mayoral elections:
- Annapolis: Gavin Buckley (Dem.) defeats Mayor Mike Pantelides (Rep.), 62%-38%.
- Atlanta: Keisha Lance Bottoms leads Mary Norwood, Cathy Woolard, Peter Aman, and Vincent Fort, 26%-21%-17%-11%-10%; a runoff is to be held December 5.
- Boston: Mayor Martin J. Walsh (Dem.) defeats Tito Jackson (Dem.), 66%-34%.
- Buffalo: Mayor Byron Brown (Dem.) defeats Mark Schroeder (Reform), 68%-26%.
- Charlotte: Vi Lyles (Dem.) defeats Kenny Smith (Rep.), 59%-41%.
- Cincinnati: Mayor John Cranley (Dem.) defeats Yvette Simpson (Dem.), 54%-46%.
- Cleveland: Mayor Frank Jackson (Dem.) defeats Zack Reed (Dem.), 60%-40%.
- Detroit: Mayor Mike Duggan (Dem.) defeats Coleman Young II (Dem.), 72%-28%.
- Jersey City: Mayor Steven Fulop (Dem.) defeats Bill Matsikoudis (Dem.), 78%-22%.
- Miami: Francis X. Suarez (Rep.) is elected with 86% of the vote. Suarez takes office November 15.
- Minneapolis: Jacob Frey (Dem.) leads Tom Hoch (Dem.), Mayor Betsy Hodges (Dem.), Raymond Dehn (Dem.), and Nekima Levy-Pounds (Dem.) in the first-preference vote, 25%-19%-18%-17%-15%. After reallocation of ranked votes, Frey defeats Dehn 57%-43%.
- New York City: Mayor Bill de Blasio (Dem.) defeats Nicole Malliotakis (Rep.), 66%-28%. All five borough presidents are reelected:
- Bronx: Ruben Diaz (Dem.) defeats Steven DeMartis (Rep.), 88%-7%.
- Brooklyn: Eric Adams (Dem.) defeats Vito Bruno (Rep.), 83%-15%.
- Manhattan: Gale Brewer (Dem.) defeats Frank Scala (Rep.), 83%-12%.
- Queens: Melinda Katz (Dem.) defeats William Kregler (Rep.), 78%-21%.
- Staten Island: James Oddo (Rep.) defeats Thomas Shcherbenko (Dem.), 75%-24%.
- Pittsburgh: Mayor William Peduto (Dem.) is reelected with 96% of the vote.
- Saint Paul: Melvin Carter (Dem.) defeats Pat Harris (Dem.) and Dai Thao (Dem.), 51%-25%-12%.
- Seattle: Jenny Durkan (Dem.) defeats Cary Moon (Dem.), 61%-39%. Durkan is sworn in on November 28.
- Syracuse: Ben Walsh (ind.) defeats Juanita Perez Williams (Dem.), 54%-38%.
- Toledo: Wade Kapszukiewicz (Dem.) defeats Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson (Dem.), 56%-44%.
9
Falkland Islands: In parliamentary elections, 8 nonpartisan members are elected.
India: In state elections in Himachal Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party wins 48.8% of the vote (44 of 68 seats), the Indian National Congress 41.7% (21), and independents 6.3% (2). Turnout is about 75%.
10
The Gambia: Interior Minister Mai Ahmad Fatty is dismissed; the portfolio is assigned to Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: In a cabinet reshuffle, Camillo Gonsalves is appointed as finance minister.
Switzerland: Former president of the Council of State of Vaud (1990) Pierre Cevey dies.
11
Nepal: Former foreign minister (1963-68, 1971-72, 1979) and prime minister (1969-70, 1971-73, 1977-79) Kirti Nidhi Bista dies.
12
Equatorial Guinea: In parliamentary elections, the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea and allied parties win 99 of 100 seats in the Chamber of Deputies (Citizens for Innovation winning 1) and all 75 seats in the Senate. Turnout is about 84%.
Japan: In gubernatorial elections in Hiroshima, incumbent Hidehiko Yuzaki wins 90.1% of the vote and Atsumi Takami 9.9%. Turnout is 31.1%.
Slovenia: In the presidential runoff, incumbent Borut Pahor wins 52.9% of the vote and Marjan Sarec 47.1%. Turnout is 41.7%.
13
Georgia: In a cabinet reshuffle, Giorgi Gakharia is named interior minister and Mamuka Bakhtadze finance minister.
Somalia: In presidential elections in Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi (Kulmiye party) wins 55% of the vote and Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro (Waddani party) 40.8%. Turnout is about 80%.
United States: President Donald Trump nominates Alex Azar as secretary of health and human services.
14
China: Former governor of Shaanxi (1987-90) Hou Zongbin dies.
United States: In the mayoral runoff in Albuquerque, Tim Keller (Democrat) wins 62.2% of the vote and Dan Lewis (Republican) 37.8%.
16
Italy: Former president of Valle d'Aosta (1974-84) Mario Andrione dies.
Tonga: In parliamentary elections (turnout 67.0%), the Democratic Party wins 14 of the 17 popularly elected seats and independents 3. With 9 seats for nobles' representatives the total is 26.
17
 Wever-Croes |
Aruba: The new government is installed with Evelyn Wever-Croes as prime minister and Xiomara Ruiz-Maduro as finance minister.
 Quassa |
Canada: The members of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, assembled in a Leadership Forum, elect Paul Quassa as premier. He defeats Joe Savikataaq, Cathy Towtongie, and Patterk Netser in a secret ballot. This election is ratified by the Legislative Assembly on November 21, when Quassa is sworn in.
Congo (Kinshasa): The provincial assembly of Kwango passes (14-8) a no-confidence motion against Governor Larousse Kabula Mavula. The deputy governor, Emery Kaputu Vita, becomes acting governor.
18
Burkina Faso: Former prime minister (1992-94) and foreign minister (1999-2007) Youssouf Ouedraogo dies.
Nigeria: In gubernatorial elections in Anambra, incumbent Willie Obiano (All Progressives Grand Alliance) wins 55.4% of the vote, Tony Nwoye (All Progressives Congress) 23.4%, and Oseloka Obaze (People's Democratic Party) 16.6%.
United States: In mayoral elections in New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell (Democrat) wins 60.4% of the vote and Desirée Charbonnet (Democrat) 39.6%.
19
Chile: In the first round of presidential elections, former president Sebastián Piñera wins 36.6% of the vote, Alejandro Guillier 22.7%, Beatriz Sánchez 20.3%, José Antonio Kast 7.9%, Carolina Goic 5.9%, and Marco Enríquez-Ominami 5.7%.
20
Tunisia: Former foreign minister (1990) Ismail Khelil dies.
21
Chad: Finance Minister Christian Georges Diguimbaye is dismissed and Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul appointed as acting finance minister.
Zimbabwe: President Robert Mugabe resigns. Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko becomes acting president (nominally, he being outside the country). On November 24 Emmerson Mnangagwa, nominated by the ruling party as provided by the constitution in case of vacancy, is sworn in as president. On November 27 Mnangagwa dissolves the cabinet and appoints Simbarashe Mumbengegwi as acting foreign minister and Patrick Chinamasa as acting finance minister. On November 30 Mnangagwa names a new cabinet with Sibusiso Moyo as foreign minister, Kembo Mohadi as defense minister, Obert Mpofu (as in the old cabinet) as home affairs minister, and Chinamasa as finance minister.
22
 Kennedy |
Saint Helena: Nick Kennedy is sworn in as administrator of Ascension.
23
Dominica: Former foreign minister (2001-05) and acting prime minister (2004) Osborne Riviere dies.
Romania: Prime Minister Mihai Tudose's government survives a no-confidence vote (159 votes for the motion, 233 needed).
24
Kyrgyzstan: Sooronbay Jeenbekov takes office as president.
25
Australia: In parliamentary elections in Queensland, the Australian Labor Party wins 35.4% of the vote (48 of 93 seats), the Liberal National Party 33.7% (39), Pauline Hanson's One Nation 13.7% (1), the Greens 10% (1), independents 4.6% (1), and Katter's Australian Party 2.3% (3). Turnout is 87.5%.
Mexico: Former foreign minister (1998-2000) Rosario Green dies.
26
Honduras: In presidential elections, incumbent Juan Orlando Hernández (National Party) wins 43% of the vote, Salvador Nasralla (Libre-Pinu alliance) 41.4%, and Luis Zelaya (Liberal Party) 14.7%. Turnout is 57.5%. In parliamentary elections, the National Party wins 61 of 128 seats, Liberty and Refoundation (Libre) 30, and the Liberal Party 26.
Nigeria: Former foreign minister (2003-06) Oluyemi Adeniji dies.
Somalia: Mohamed Mursal Sheikh Abdirahman is appointed as defense minister.
United States: Former postmaster general (1968-69) W. Marvin Watson dies.
27
Mexico: Finance Minister José Antonio Meade resigns and is replaced by José Antonio González Anaya.
Uzbekistan: Jamshid Kuchkarov is appointed finance minister.
29
Czech Republic: Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka's government resigns.
30
Pakistan: Former acting foreign minister (1991) Akram Zaki dies.
Thailand: Former foreign minister (1997-2001) Surin Pitsuwan (also secretary-general of ASEAN 2008-13) dies.