Rulers

April 2019

1


Boukadoum
Bensalah
Algeria: President Abdelaziz Bouteflika says he will resign by April 28. He already does so on April 2 (on which date also Sabri Boukadoum takes office as foreign minister and Salah Eddine Dahmoune as interior minister). On April 3 the Constitutional Council ratifies the resignation. According to the constitution the chairman of the upper house, Abdelkader Bensalah, becomes acting president; this is confirmed by parliament April 9. On April 10 Bensalah schedules presidential elections for July 4.
Guyana: Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge and other ministers resign. On April 25 President David Granger declares the resignations effective and carries out a reshuffle, but without naming a replacement for Greenidge.

Selva
Muratori
San Marino: Nicola Selva (Future Republic) and Michele Muratori (Democratic Socialist Left) take office as captains-regent.
Uruguay: President Tabaré Vázquez dismisses Defense Minister Jorge Menéndez. José Bayardi is named to succeed him.

2

Comoros: President Azali Assoumani resumes office following the proclamation of the official results of the presidential election.
Malta: Parliament approves the nomination of George Vella as president (sworn in April 4).
United States: In the mayoral runoff in Chicago, Lori Lightfoot wins 73.7% of the vote and Toni Preckwinkle 26.3%. Turnout is 31.3%. In mayoral elections in Las Vegas, incumbent Carolyn Goodman wins 83.5% of the vote.

3

Nigeria: Incumbent Nyesom Wike (People's Democratic Party) is declared winner of the aborted March 9 gubernatorial election in Rivers, his margin exceeding the number of registered voters in areas where elections were not held or were cancelled.

Manele
Solomon Islands: In parliamentary elections, independents win 21 of 50 seats, the Solomon Islands Kadere Party 8, the Solomon Islands Democratic Party 8, the United Democratic Party 4, the Democratic Alliance Party 3, the United Party 2, and the People's Alliance Party 2. On April 24 parliament elects Manasseh Sogavare prime minister (34 votes) and he is sworn in the same day. On April 25 Jeremiah Manele is sworn in as foreign minister, Lanelle Olandrea Tanangada as national security minister, and Harry Kuma as finance minister.

4


Reinsalu
Estonia: The government of Prime Minister Jüri Ratas resigns as the new Riigikogu convenes. On April 5 President Kersti Kaljulaid asks Kaja Kallas to form a new government. Kallas is rejected by parliament on April 15, receiving 45 votes (51 needed). On April 16 Kaljulaid gives the mandate to Ratas, who is approved by parliament (55 votes) on April 17. On April 24, the cabinet is appointed (sworn in on April 29) with Urmas Reinsalu as foreign minister, Mart Helme as interior minister, and Martin Helme as finance minister; Jüri Luik remains defense minister.
Turks and Caicos Islands: In a cabinet reshuffle (effective May 8), Goldray Ewing is appointed as home affairs minister.

5


Ba
Malpass
Senegal: The government of Prime Minister Mohamed Dionne resigns following President Macky Sall's inauguration for his second term on April 2. Sall confirms Dionne as prime minister on April 6. On April 7 the new cabinet is named with Amadou Ba as foreign minister, Sidiki Kaba as defense minister, and Abdoulaye Daouda Diallo as finance minister; Aly Ngouille Ndiaye remains interior minister.
World Bank: David Malpass (U.S.) is appointed president, taking office April 9.

6

Maldives: In parliamentary elections, the Maldivian Democratic Party wins 65 of 87 seats, the Jumhooree Party 6, the Progressive Party of Maldives 5, and independents 7. Turnout is 73.5%.
United States: Former governor of South Carolina (1959-63) Ernest F. Hollings dies.

7

Andorra: In parliamentary elections, the Democrats for Andorra win 35.1% of the vote (11 of 28 seats), the Social Democratic Party 30.6% (7), the Liberals of Andorra 12.5% (4), and the alliance of Third Way and Lauredian Union 10.4% (4). Turnout is 68.3%.
Argentina: In gubernatorial elections in Río Negro, Arabela Carreras (Together We Are Río Negro) wins 52.5% of the vote and Martín Soria (Front for Victory) 35.1%. Turnout is 73.8%.
Japan: Results of gubernatorial elections: Mexico: Former governor of Yucatán (1988-91) Víctor Manzanilla Schaffer dies.
United States: Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen resigns. Kevin McAleenan is named to become acting secretary (sworn in April 10).

8

Malaysia: The chief minister of Johor, Datuk Osman Sapian, resigns. The sultan of Johor accepts the resignation on April 13. On April 14, Sahruddin Jamal is sworn in as chief minister.

9

Haiti: President Jovenel Moïse nominates Acting Prime Minister Jean Michel Lapin for the substantive post.
Israel: In parliamentary elections, the Likud party wins 26.5% of the vote (36 of 120 seats), the Blue and White party 26.1% (35), Shas 6.0% (8), United Torah Judaism 5.8% (7), Hadash-Ta'al 4.5% (6), Labour 4.4% (6), Yisrael Beiteinu 4.0% (5), the Union of Right-Wing Parties 3.7% (5), Meretz 3.6% (4), Kulanu 3.5% (4), the United Arab List-Balad 3.3% (4), and the New Right 3.2% (0). Turnout is 68.4%. On April 17 President Reuven Rivlin asks Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a new government.
Kazakhstan: President Kasymzhomart Tokayev calls early presidential elections for June 9.

10

Congo (Kinshasa): Results of gubernatorial elections in the provincial assemblies (runoffs on April 13): In Mai-Ndombe and Nord-Kivu elections will take place later because the provincial assemblies are not yet in place.
Equatorial Guinea: Finance Minister Lucas Abaga Nchama is dismissed and replaced by César Augusto Mba Abogo. In another reshuffle on April 12, Faustino Ndong Esono Ayang is appointed interior minister.

11

India: In parliamentary elections in Andhra Pradesh, the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party wins 49.9% of the vote (151 of 175 seats) and the Telugu Desam Party 39.2% (23). In Arunachal Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party wins 50.9% of the vote (41 of 60 seats), the Indian National Congress 16.9% (4), the National People's Party 14.5% (5), and the Janata Dal (United) 9.9% (7). In Sikkim, the Sikkim Democratic Front wins 47.6% of the vote (15 of 32 seats) and the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha 47.0% (17).

Choe
Kim J.R.
North Korea: Kim Jong Un is reelected chairman of the State Affairs Commission, while Kim Yong Nam is replaced by Choe Ryong Hae as chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly and Premier Pak Pong Ju by Kim Jae Ryong.
Papua New Guinea: Finance Minister James Marape and (reportedly) Defense Minister Solan Mirisim resign. On April 12 Mirisim says he stays in the government. On April 17 Sam Basil is named finance minister.
Slovakia: Finance Minister Peter Kazimír resigns. Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini becomes acting finance minister until Ladislav Kamenický will take up the post.
Spain: The president of the government of Madrid, Ángel Garrido, resigns. Pedro Rollán becomes acting president.

Ibn Auf
Burhan
The Sudan: President Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir is removed from power by the military. A Transitional Military Council, headed by the defense minister and first vice president, Awad Ibn Auf, is put in place and the government of Prime Minister Mohamed Tahir Ayala is dissolved. On April 12 Ibn Auf resigns and names as his successor Lt.Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan. On April 14 the council removes Ibn Auf as defense minister.
Switzerland: Christian Vitta becomes president of the Council of State of Ticino.
United States: The Senate confirms (56-41) David Bernhardt as interior secretary. He takes office the same day.

13


Shtayyeh
Palestine: The government of Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh is sworn in, with himself in charge of interior while Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki and Finance Minister Shukri Bishara retain their positions.

14

Finland: In parliamentary elections, the Social Democratic Party wins 17.7% of the vote (40 of 200 seats), the Finns Party 17.5% (39), the National Coalition Party 17.0% (38), the Centre Party 13.8% (31), the Green League 11.5% (20), the Left Alliance 8.2% (16), the Swedish People's Party 4.5% (9), and the Christian Democrats 3.9% (5). Turnout is 68.7%.

16


Kenney
Canada: In parliamentary elections in Alberta, the United Conservative Party wins 54.8% of the vote (63 of 87 seats), the New Democratic Party 32.7% (24), and the Alberta Party 9.1% (0). Turnout is 71.1%. On April 30 Jason Kenney is sworn in as premier.

Bardi
Italy: Vito Bardi takes office as president of Basilicata.

17

Indonesia: In presidential elections, incumbent Joko Widodo (Working Indonesia Coalition) wins 55.5% of the vote and Prabowo Subianto (Prosperous and Just Indonesia Coalition) 44.5%.
Italy: Former president of Liguria (1994-2000) Giancarlo Mori dies.
Peru: Former president (1985-90, 2006-11) Alan García commits suicide.

18


Gedu
Ethiopia: In a cabinet reshuffle, Gedu Andargachew is named foreign minister and Lemma Megersa defense minister.

Cissé
Mali: The government of Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubèye Maïga resigns. On April 22 President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita names Boubou Cissé as prime minister (taking office April 23).
Pakistan: Finance Minister Asad Umar says he will leave the cabinet in a coming reshuffle. This is made later the same day, with Abdul Hafeez Shaikh being named finance advisor and Ijaz Ahmed Shah interior minister.

19

Association of Southeast Asian Nations: Former secretary-general (1998-2003) Rodolfo C. Severino dies.
Russia: The resignation of Igor Zotov as prime minister of Kalmykia is accepted. On April 22 Yury Zaytsev is appointed acting prime minister; he is confirmed as prime minister by the local parliament on April 30.

20

Caribbean Community: Sir Alister McIntyre, former secretary-general (1974-77), dies.
Yemen: Interior Minister Abdulhakim Ahmed al-Mawri dies.

21

Afghanistan: The Supreme Court extends the term of President Ashraf Ghani (ending on May 22) until delayed presidential elections take place (scheduled for September 28).
Comoros: In the gubernatorial runoff in Mwali, incumbent Mohamed Said Fazul wins 79.5% of the vote and Said Baco Attoumane 20.5%; turnout is 79.3%. In Ngazidja, Mhoudine Sitti Farouata wins 70.5% of the vote and Aboudou Soefou 29.5%; turnout is 60.2%.
North Macedonia: In presidential elections, Stevo Pendarovski wins 44.8% of the vote, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova 44.2%, and Blerim Reka 11.1%. Turnout is 41.8%. A runoff will be held on May 5.
Slovakia: Former prime minister of the Slovak Socialist Republic (1969-88) Peter Colotka dies.
Spain: Former president of the Diputación General of Aragón (1981-82) Gaspar Castellano y de Gastón dies.
Ukraine: In the presidential runoff, Volodymyr Zelensky wins 75.0% of the vote and incumbent Petro Poroshenko 25.0%. Turnout is 62.1%.

22

Egypt: In a referendum held April 20-22 (turnout 44.3%), 88.8% of voters endorse constitutional amendments including one extending President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's current term by two years (to 2024).
Vietnam: Former president (1992-97) Le Duc Anh dies.

23

Canada: In parliamentary elections in Prince Edward Island, the Progressive Conservative Party wins 36.5% of the vote (12 of 27 seats), the Green Party 30.6% (8), the Liberal Party 29.5% (6), and the New Democratic Party 3.0% (0); the election for one seat has been postponed. Turnout is 76.3%. On April 30 Lieutenant Governor Antoinette Perry invites Progressive Conservative leader Dennis King to form a government.
International Monetary Fund: Former managing director (1973-78) Johannes Witteveen dies.
Luxembourg: Former grand duke (1964-2000) Jean dies.
United States: In the mayoral runoff in Tampa, Jane Castor wins 73.1% of the vote and David Straz 26.9%. Turnout is 23.2%.

24

Indonesia: Murad Ismail is inaugurated as governor of Maluku.

26

El Salvador: Ana Daysi Vilallobos is appointed interior minister.
United States: Former interior secretary (1989-93) Manuel Lujan, Jr., dies.

27

Ethiopia: Former president (1995-2001) Negasso Gidada dies.
Russia: Former chairman of the government of Khakassia (1997-2009) Aleksey Lebed dies.

28

Benin: In parliamentary elections, the Progressive Union wins 56.2% of the vote (47 of 83 seats) and the Republican Bloc 43.8% (36). Turnout is 23.0%.
Spain: In parliamentary elections, the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) wins 28.9% of the vote for the Congress of Deputies (123 of 350 seats), the Popular Party (PP) 16.8% (66), Ciudadanos 16.0% (57), Unidas Podemos 12.0% (35), Vox 10.3% (24), the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) 3.9% (15), En Comú Podem 2.4% (7), Together for Catalonia 1.9% (7), and the Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ-PNV) 1.5% (6); turnout is 75.8%. In elections to 208 of 266 seats in the Senate, PSOE wins 121, PP 56, ERC 11, EAJ-PNV 9, and Ciudadanos 4; turnout is 75.4%. In regional elections in Valencia, PSOE wins 24.4% of the vote (27 of 99 seats), the PP 19.3% (19), Ciudadanos 17.8% (18), the Compromís coalition 16.8% (17), Vox 10.7% (10), and Unides Podem-United Left 8.2% (8); turnout is 73.7%.
Switzerland: Roland Inauen becomes Regierender Landammann of Appenzell Innerrhoden.

29

India: In parliamentary elections in Odisha held April 11, 18, 23, and 29, the Biju Janata Dal wins 44.7% of the vote (112 of 146 seats), the Bharatiya Janata Party 32.5% (23), and the Indian National Congress 16.1% (9).

30


Naruhito
Japan: Emperor Akihito abdicates, effective midnight, to be succeeded from May 1 by Crown Prince Naruhito, initiating the Reiwa era.