Rulers
April 2021
1
Aruba: Parliament is dissolved and the elections that were scheduled for September 24 are advanced to June 25.
Cayman Islands: Former governor (2002-05) Bruce Dinwiddy (also commissioner of the British Indian Ocean Territory 1996-98) dies.
Congo (Kinshasa): The provincial assembly of Kasaï Oriental adopts a no-confidence motion against Governor Jean Maweja Muteba (13 of 17 votes). On April 17 the deputy governor, Jeanette Longa Musuamba, is appointed acting governor.
Georgia: Lasha Khutsishvili is appointed finance minister.
Japan: The lower house rejects a no-confidence motion against Internal Affairs Minister Ryota Takeda.
New Caledonia: A third attempt of the new government to elect its president fails, with Thierry Santa again receiving 4 votes and Samuel Hnepeune and Louis Mapou 3 each.
Mahamadou | 
Massoudou |
Niger: The government of Prime Minister Brigi Rafini resigns ahead of the inauguration of Mohamed Bazoum as president, taking place on April 2. On April 3, Bazoum appoints Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou as prime minister. On April 7 his cabinet is named with Hassoumi Massoudou as foreign minister, Alkassoum Indattou as defense minister, and Ahmat Jidoud as finance minister; Alkache Alhada remains interior minister.
Nicolini | 
Heger |
San Marino: Giancarlo Venturini (Christian Democrat) and Marco Nicolini (RETE) take office as captains-regent.
Slovakia: Eduard Heger is appointed prime minister with a cabinet including Ivan Korcok as foreign minister and Igor Matovic as finance minister; Jaroslav Nad remains defense minister and Roman Mikulec interior minister.
2
The Netherlands: Prime Minister Mark Rutte survives a no-confidence vote, which receives 72 votes (76 required). On April 30 another no-confidence vote is defeated 93-40.
Pham | 
Bui |
Vietnam: Parliament (by 446 of 452 votes) relieves Nguyen Xuan Phuc of his office of prime minister, clearing the way for his candidacy for president. Nguyen Phu Trong is then likewise relieved as president (438 of 440 votes). On April 5 Nguyen Xuan Phuc is elected (468 of 468 votes) and sworn in as president, while Pham Minh Chinh is elected (462 of 466 votes) and sworn in as prime minister. On April 7, Pham submits to parliament the nominations of Bui Thanh Son as foreign minister, Phan Van Giang as defense minister, Pham Thi Thanh Tra as interior minister, and Ho Duc Phoc as finance minister; they are approved on April 8.
3
Brazil: Former governor of Ceará (1975-78) José Adauto Bezerra dies.
Kosovo: Parliament fails, in a first attempt, to elect a president due to a lack of quorum. On April 4, Vjosa Osmani receives 69 votes in the second round (80 required) and is then elected in a third round with 71 votes (61 sufficient) and sworn in.
Francis |
Sint Eustatius: Government Commissioner Marnix van Rij announces his resignation, effective April 18. His deputy Alida Francis then becomes acting government commissioner.
South Africa: Former premier of KwaZulu-Natal (1994-97) Frank Mdlalose dies.
United States: Former governor of Montana (1989-93) Stan Stephens dies.
4
Bulgaria: In parliamentary elections, Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria-Union of Democratic Forces wins 25.8% of the vote (75 of 240 seats), There is Such a People 17.4% (51), the coalition led by the Bulgarian Socialist Party 14.8% (43), the Movement for Rights and Freedoms 10.3% (30), and Democratic Bulgaria 9.3% (27). Turnout is 49.1%. On April 15 Prime Minister Boyko Borisov resigns (accepted by parliament April 16). On April 20 President Rumen Radev asks Daniel Mitov to form a government. On April 23 Mitov returns the mandate. On April 28 Radev asks Antoaneta Stefanova to form a government but she immediately returns the mandate.
Japan: In gubernatorial elections in Akita, incumbent Norihisa Satake is reelected with 49.5% of the vote, while Toshihide Muraoka wins 41.1%. Turnout is 56.6%.
5
Japan: Toshihito Kumagai takes office as governor of Chiba.
Papua New Guinea: Former governor of Eastern Highlands (2002-12) Malcolm Kela Smith dies.
6
Camara |
Côte d'Ivoire: Prime Minister Patrick Achi's cabinet is named with Kandia Camara as foreign minister and Téné Birahima Ouattara as defense minister; Vagondo Diomandé stays as interior minister and Adama Coulibaly as finance minister.
Egede | 
Broberg |
Greenland: In parliamentary elections, Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) wins 37.4% of the vote (12 of 31 seats), Siumut 30.1% (10), Naleraq 12.3% (4), the Democrats 9.3% (3), and Atassut 7.1% (2). Turnout is 65.8%. On April 16 a coalition of IA and Naleraq is agreed on with Múte B. Egede to be prime minister. On April 23 Egede is elected in parliament (20-0), his cabinet including Pele Broberg as foreign minister and Asii Chemnitz Narup as finance and interior minister.
India: In parliamentary elections in Kerala, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) wins 25.4% of the vote (62 of 140 seats), the Indian National Congress (INC) 25.1% (21), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 11.3% (0), the Indian Union Muslim League 8.3% (15), and the Communist Party of India 7.6% (17). In Puducherry, the All India N.R. Congress wins 25.9% of the vote (10 of 30 seats), the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) 18.5% (6), the INC 15.7% (2), and the BJP 13.7% (6). In Tamil Nadu, the DMK wins 37.7% of the vote (133 of 234 seats), the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 33.3% (66), the INC 4.3% (18), the Pattali Makkal Katchi 3.8% (5), and the BJP 2.6% (4). In Assam (March 27, April 1, and April 6), the BJP wins 33.2% of the vote (60 of 126 seats), the INC 29.7% (29), the All India United Democratic Front 9.3% (16), and the Asom Gana Parishad 7.9% (9).
Israel: President Reuven Rivlin asks Benjamin Netanyahu to form a new government.
The Netherlands: Herman Tjeenk Willink is appointed as informateur in the process of formation of a new government.
United States: In mayoral elections in Anchorage (turnout 31.9%), David Bronson wins 33.1% of the vote, Forrest Dunbar 31.0%, and Bill Falsey 12.9%; a runoff is to be held May 11. In Omaha (primary), incumbent Jean Stothert wins 56.6% of the vote, R.J. Neary 15.5%, and Jasmine L. Harris 14.1%; the election between Stothert and Neary will take place on May 11. In St. Louis (turnout 29.1%), Tishaura O. Jones wins 51.7% of the vote and Cara Spencer 47.8%; Jones is sworn in on April 20.
7
El Salvador: Juan Carlos Bidegaín is named interior minister.
Khovalyg |
Russia: President Vladimir Putin accepts the resignation of the head of the republic of Tuva, Sholban Kara-ool, and appoints Vladislav Khovalyg as acting head.
8
Indonesia: Former governor of Sumatera Selatan (2008) Mahyuddin dies.
Russkikh |
Russia: President Vladimir Putin accepts the resignation of the governor of Ulyanovsk oblast, Sergey Morozov, and appoints Aleksey Russkikh as acting governor.
9
Belize: The resignation of Governor-General Sir Colville Young, effective April 30, is announced. On April 22, Prime Minister Johnny Briceño announces the nomination of Froyla Tzalam as the next governor-general. On April 30 Stuart Leslie becomes acting governor-general.
Djibouti: In presidential elections, incumbent Ismail Omar Guelleh (People's Rally for Progress) wins 97.4% of the vote. Turnout is about 82%.
Russia: President Vladimir Putin accepts the resignation of the head of the republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Vyacheslav Bitarov, and appoints Sergey Menyaylo as acting head.
Samoa: In parliamentary elections, the Human Rights Protection Party wins 26 of 52 seats, Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi 25, with 1 independent.
United States: Former attorney general (1966-69) Ramsey Clark dies.
10
Nigeria: Former governor of Sokoto (1985-87) Garba Mohammed dies.
11
Benin: In presidential elections, incumbent Patrice Talon (independent) wins 86.4% of the vote and Alassane Soumanou (Cauri Forces for an Emerging Benin) 11.3%. Turnout is 50.2%.
M.I. Déby |
Chad: In presidential elections, incumbent Idriss Déby Itno wins 79.3% of the vote and former prime minister Albert Pahimi Padacké 10.3%. Turnout is 64.8%. Déby dies on April 20. A Transitional Military Council led by his son Mahamat Idriss Déby takes over as the constitution is suspended for 18 months. On April 21 it is decided that the ministers of the old government remain in office on a caretaker basis pending the appointment of a government of transition. On April 26 Padacké is named prime minister.
Ecuador: In the presidential runoff, Guillermo Lasso wins 52.5% of the vote and Andrés Arauz 47.5%. Turnout is 82.7%.
Japan: In gubernatorial elections in Fukuoka, Seitaro Hattori wins 81.0% of the vote and Mieko Hoshino 19.0%. Turnout is 29.6%. Hattori takes office April 15.
Peru: In the first round of presidential elections, Pedro Castillo (Free Peru) wins 19.1% of the vote, Keiko Fujimori (Popular Force) 13.4%, Rafael López Aliaga (Popular Renewal) 11.7%, Hernando de Soto (Social Integration Party) 11.6%, Yonhy Lescano (Popular Action) 9.1%, and Verónika Mendoza (Together for Peru) 7.9%. Turnout is 70.1%. The runoff will be held on June 6.
12
Canada: In parliamentary elections in Yukon, the Yukon Party wins 39.4% of the vote (8 of 19 seats), the Liberal Party 32.3% (8), and the New Democratic Party 28.2% (3). On April 28 the Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party announce an agreement by which the latter will support a Liberal minority government under the incumbent premier, Sandy Silver, at least until January 2023.
China: Former mayor of Shanghai (2012-17) Yang Xiong dies.
Sama | 
Lutundula |
Congo (Kinshasa): The government of prime minister-designate Sama Lukonde Kyenge is announced with Christophe Lutundula as foreign minister, Gilbert Kabanda as defense minister, Daniel Aselo Okito as interior minister, and Nicolas Kazadi as finance minister. On April 26 the government is confirmed by the National Assembly (410-0). Sama and Lutundula take office April 27.
Kulhánek |
Czech Republic: Foreign Minister Tomás Petrícek is dismissed and Jan Hamácek is appointed acting foreign minister. On April 16 President Milos Zeman accepts the nomination of Jakub Kulhánek as foreign minister (sworn in April 21).
Mozambique: Former foreign minister (2008-17) Oldemiro Balói dies.
Somalia: Parliament votes (149-3) to extend by two years the mandate of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and of the government of Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble. Although the Senate rejects the move, the president signs it into law on April 13. On April 17 the parliament of Puntland votes (49-1) to reject the extension. On April 27 Roble himself rejects the extension, and on April 28 the president renounces it, calling for discussions on the organization of elections.
13
Congo (Kinshasa): The provincial assembly of Ituri adopts (33-8) a no-confidence motion against Governor Jean Bamanisa.
Haiti: Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe resigns. On April 14 President Jovenel Moïse appoints Foreign Minister Claude Joseph as acting prime minister and Louis Gonzague Edner Day as acting interior minister.
Federated States of Micronesia: Alexander Narruhn is sworn in as governor of Chuuk.
14
Panton |
Cayman Islands: In parliamentary elections (turnout 73.8%), independents win 79.1% of the vote (12 of 19 elected seats) and the People's Progressive Movement 19.6% (7). (With 2 ex-officio members, the total is 21.) On April 21 Wayne Panton is sworn in as premier. On April 26 Panton announces the allocation of cabinet portfolios with Christopher Saunders as finance minister and Bernie Bush as home affairs minister.
Nigeria: Former administrator of Ondo (1994-96) and Oyo (1996-98) Ahmed Usman dies.
Turkey: Former prime minister (1989-91) Yildirim Akbulut dies.
15
Congo (Kinshasa): The provincial assembly of Tshopo adopts (17-0) a no-confidence motion against Governor Louis-Marie Walle Lufungula. On April 22 the deputy governor, Maurice Abibu Sakapela, is appointed as acting governor.
Cuba: Gen. Leopoldo Cintra Frías is relieved from the post of armed forces minister and replaced by Gen. Álvaro López Miera.
Moldova: The Constitutional Court decides that the requirements to dissolve parliament and organize new elections are met given its failure to approve a new government. On April 28 President Maia Sandu accordingly dissolves parliament and calls elections for July 11.
16
Australia: Former foreign minister (1975-80) Andrew Peacock dies.
Botswana: In a cabinet reshuffle, Peggy Serame is appointed as finance minister.
Cuba: Raúl Castro announces his resignation as first secretary of the Communist Party. On April 19 President Miguel Díaz-Canel is elected to the post.
France: Former president of the Regional Council of Champagne-Ardenne (1988-98) Jean Kaltenbach dies.
South Korea: President Moon Jae In nominates Kim Boo Kyum to replace Chung Sye Kyun as prime minister. Hong Nam Ki becomes acting prime minister pending Kim's confirmation.
Pakistan: In a cabinet reshuffle, Shaukat Tarin is appointed as finance minister.
18
Cabo Verde: In parliamentary elections, the Movement for Democracy wins 50.0% of the vote (38 of 72 seats), the African Party for the Independence of Cabo Verde 39.6% (30), and the Independent and Democratic Cabo Verdian Union 9.0% (4). Turnout is 57.5%. On April 30 President Jorge Carlos Fonseca asks Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva to form a new government.
Canada: Former commissioner of Yukon Territory (1979-86) Douglas Bell dies.
India: Former chief minister of Assam (1996) Bhumidhar Barman dies.
Nepal: Home Affairs Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa loses his portfolio as a result of his removal from his seat in parliament but is reappointed and sworn in as home affairs minister the same day.
19
Trinidad and Tobago: In a cabinet reshuffle, Fitzgerald Hind is appointed as minister of national security.
United States: Former vice president (1977-81) Walter F. Mondale dies.
21
Brazil: Former governor of Piauí (1994-95) Guilherme Cavalcante de Melo dies.
Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau survives a no-confidence vote (rejected 297-37), and another on April 22 (rejected 213-120). On April 26 he wins a confidence vote (178-157).
Congo (Kinshasa): The provincial assembly of Kasaï adopts (22-5) a no-confidence motion against Governor Dieudonné Pieme Tutokot.
Namibia: In a cabinet reshuffle, Frans Kapofi is appointed defense minister and is replaced as home affairs minister by Albert Kawana.
22
China: Former governor of Hubei (2002-07) Luo Qingquan dies.
23
Singapore: In a cabinet reshuffle (effective May 15), Lawrence Wong is named finance minister.
25
Albania: In parliamentary elections, the Socialist Party wins 48.7% of the vote (74 of 140 seats), the Democratic Party-Alliance for Change 39.4% (59), and the Socialist Movement for Integration 6.8% (4). Turnout is 46.3%.
Armenia: Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan resigns. President Armen Sarkisyan accepts the resignation.
Belgium: Former minister-president of the German community (1986-99) Joseph Maraite dies.
Christmas Island: Former administrator (1977-80) Frank Boyle dies.
26
North Macedonia: Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski survives a no-confidence vote in parliament (rejected 60-11).
27
Venezuela: Former governor of Anzoátegui (2012-16) and executive vice president (2016-17) Aristóbulo Istúriz dies.
28
Curaçao: Governor Lucille George-Wout appoints Chester Peterson as formateur of a new government.
Peru: Former prime minister (2000) Federico Salas Guevara dies.
United Kingdom: The first minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster, announces her intention to resign at the end of June.
29
India: In parliamentary elections in West Bengal held March 27 and April 1, 6, 10, 17, 22, 26, and 29, the All India Trinamool Congress wins 47.9% of the vote (213 of 292 seats), the Bharatiya Janata Party 38.1% (77), and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) 4.7% (0).
30
Francis |
Brazil: The suspended governor of Rio de Janeiro, Wilson Witzel, is removed from office.
Pakistan: Prime Minister Imran Khan asks the governor of Balochistan, Amanullah Khan Yasinzai, to resign.
Sierra Leone: In a cabinet reshuffle, Jacob Jusu Saffa becomes chief minister (also remaining in charge of finance) and David J. Francis foreign minister.