Rulers
January 2025
1
Malawi: In a cabinet reshuffle, Monica Chang'anamuno is named defense minister and Ezekiel Peter Ching'oma minister of homeland security.
Keller-Sutter | 
Egli | 
Steiert | 
Caduff | 
Courtet | 
Kessler | 
Kolly | 
Hostettler |
Switzerland: Karin Keller-Sutter takes office as president. Dieter Egli becomes Landammann of Aargau, Jean-François Steiert president of the Council of State of Fribourg, Marcus Caduff president of the government of Graubünden, Martial Courtet president of the government of Jura, Martin Kessler president of the government of Schaffhausen, Sandra Kolly Landammann of Solothurn, and Andreas Hostettler Landammann of Zug.
Stein |
United States: Josh Stein takes office as governor of North Carolina and Keith Wilson as mayor of Portland.
2
India: Arif Mohammad Khan is sworn in as governor of Bihar and Rajendra Arlekar as governor of Kerala.
González |
Puerto Rico: Jenniffer González Colón takes office as governor.
Spain: Former president of the government of Baleares (1999-2003, 2007-11) Francesc Antich i Oliver dies.
3
Pula | 
Bhalla |
American Samoa: Pulaalii Nikolao Pula is sworn in as governor.
Georgia: Former minister of state (1995-98) Niko Lekishvili dies.
India: Ajay Kumar Bhalla is sworn in as governor of Manipur and Hari Babu Kambhampati as governor of Odisha.
Trinidad and Tobago: Prime Minister Keith Rowley says he will resign ahead of this year's elections. On January 6 Stuart Young is designated to replace him.
4
Austria: Chancellor Karl Nehammer announces his resignation as coalition talks fail. On January 6 President Alexander Van der Bellen asks Herbert Kickl to form a government. As announced on January 8, Van der Bellen on January 10 appoints Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg as acting chancellor.
5
France: Former president of the Regional Council of Rhône-Alpes (1999-2004) Anne-Marie Comparini dies.
Greece: Former prime minister (1996-2004) Kostas Simitis dies.
6
Aruba: Former prime minister (1986-89, 1994-2001) Henny Eman dies.
Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces his resignation, effective after the election of a new Liberal Party leader.
Italy: Former president of Calabria (2000-05) Giuseppe Chiaravalloti dies.
dos Ramos | 
I.A. Vaz |
São Tomé and Príncipe: President Carlos Vila Nova dismisses the government of Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada. On January 8 the ruling party proposes Hélio Vaz de Almeida as prime minister, but on January 9 he is rejected by the president, who instead appoints Ilza Amado Vaz. Her cabinet is announced on January 11 with Isabel Domingos as foreign minister and Samuel António as defense and internal order minister; Ginésio da Mata is to remain finance minister. However, before taking office, she resigns on January 12; the party then proposes Adelino Pereira as prime minister, but the president appoints Américo d'Oliveira dos Ramos. On January 13 his cabinet is named with Ilza Amado Vaz as foreign minister, Horácio da Trindade de Sousa as defense and internal order minister, and Gareth Guadalupe as finance minister. The government is sworn in on January 14.
Somalia: The parliament of Somaliland approves part of the cabinet announced on Dec. 14, 2024, including Abdirahman Dahir Adan Bakaal as foreign minister (59 votes), Mohamed Yusuf Ali Ahmed as defense minister (62 votes), Abdalla Mohamed Arab as internal security minister (65 votes), and Abdillaahi Hassan Adan Awaale as finance minister (65 votes).
United States: Renard Johnson is sworn in as mayor of El Paso.
7
Belgium: King Philippe extends the mandate of the formateur, Bart De Wever, to January 31. On that date an agreement is reached and the mandate is prolonged until the appointment of the government.
Ghana: John Dramani Mahama is sworn in as president. On January 9 he nominates Cassiel Ato Forson as finance minister, and on January 21 Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa as foreign minister, Edward Omane Boamah as defense minister, and Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak as interior minister.
Ponga |
New Caledonia: Parliament elects the 11 members of a new government but this government fails to elect a president, Alcide Ponga receiving 4 votes and Samuel Hnepeune 3, with 4 members abstaining. In the second attempt, on January 8, Ponga is elected with 6 votes, against 3 for Hnepeune and 2 abstentions. The government takes office on January 15. On January 21 the portfolios are allocated, with Ponga responsible for external relations and security and Thierry Santa for finance.
Peru: Former prime minister (2020) Walter Martos dies.
Meyer |
United States: The governor of Delaware, John Carney, resigns. Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long is sworn in as governor, serving until January 21, when governor-elect Matt Meyer is sworn in.
8
United States: Daniel Lurie is sworn in as mayor of San Francisco.
9
Aoun |
Lebanon: Another attempt is made to elect a president. In the first round Joseph Aoun wins 71 votes (86 needed). In the second round he is elected with 99 votes. On January 13 Aoun asks Nawaf Salam to form a government, after binding parliamentary consultations in which Salam received 84 votes against 9 for the incumbent prime minister, Najib Mikati, and 35 blank votes.
Ayotte |
United States: Kelly Ayotte is sworn in as governor of New Hampshire.
10
Azerbaijan: Samir Sharifov is dismissed as finance minister.
11
Congo (Brazzaville): In a cabinet reshuffle, Christian Yoka is appointed finance minister.
12
Comoros: In the first round of parliamentary elections, the Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros wins 28 of 33 seats. Turnout is about 70%. Repeat elections are held in four constituencies on January 30, increasing the party's seats to 31. The second round will take place on February 16.
Croatia: In the presidential runoff, incumbent Zoran Milanovic wins 74.7% of the vote and Dragan Primorac 25.3%. Turnout is 44.2%.
Venezuela: Former executive vice-president (2000) Isaías Rodríguez dies.
13
Azerbaijan: Former prime minister of Nakhichevan (1993-2000) Shamsaddin Khanbabayev dies.
United States: Mike Braun is sworn in as governor of Indiana, Mike Kehoe as governor of Missouri, and Patrick Morrisey as governor of West Virginia.
Murdoch |
14
Aruba: Governor Alfonso Boekhoudt appoints Mike Eman and Gerlien Croes as formateurs.
Bermuda: Governor Rena Lalgie departs. Tom Oppenheim becomes acting governor. On January 23 the new governor, Andrew Murdoch, is sworn in.
United States: Former governor of Vermont (1973-77) Thomas Salmon dies.
15
Zhelyazkov | 
Georgiev |
Bulgaria: Rosen Zhelyazkov accepts an invitation by President Rumen Radev to form a government. He already has a proposed cabinet including Georg Georgiev as foreign minister, Daniel Mitov as interior minister, Temenuzhka Petkova as finance minister, and Atanas Zapryanov to remain defense minister. On January 16 the government is approved by parliament (125-114) and sworn in.
Congo (Kinshasa): The government adopts an 89th extension of the state of siege in Ituri and Nord-Kivu, and a 90th on January 31.
Haiti: Former prime minister (1996-97) Rosny Smarth dies.
Martinique: Étienne Desplanques is appointed as prefect.
Mozambique: Daniel Chapo is sworn in as president. On January 17 he appoints Maria Benvinda Delfina Levi as prime minister, Maria Manuela dos Santos Lucas as foreign minister, Paulo Chachine as interior minister, and Carla Louveira as finance minister; Cristóvão Chume remains defense minister.
Saint-Barthélemy/Saint-Martin: Cyrille Le Vély is appointed as prefect.
Switzerland: Defense Minister Viola Amherd says she will step down at the end of March.
Ferguson |
United States: Bob Ferguson is sworn in as governor of Washington.
16
France: The government of Prime Minister François Bayrou survives a no-confidence motion, which receives 131 votes (289 needed).
Singh |
India: Vijay Kumar Singh is sworn in as governor of Mizoram.
Vanuatu: In parliamentary elections, the Leaders Party wins 9 of 52 seats, the Vanua'aku Pati 7, the Union of Moderate Parties 6, the Rural Development Party 6, the Iauko Group 6, the Reunification Movement for Change 5, and Graon mo Jastis 5. Turnout is 69%.
17
Monaco: Minister of State Didier Guillaume dies. Foreign Minister Isabelle Berro-Amadeï has already been acting minister of state since January 10.
Mongolia: Former president (1990-97) Punsalmaagiyn Ochirbat dies.
Portugal: President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa dissolves the Legislative Assembly of Madeira and calls new elections for March 23.
18
Bulgaria: Former foreign minister (1989-90) Boyko Dimitrov dies.
New Zealand: Former foreign minister (1987-90) Russell Marshall dies.
Solomon Islands: Former governor-general (1999-2004) Sir John Lapli dies.
19
Austria: In state elections in Burgenland, the Social Democratic Party wins 46.4% of the vote (17 of 36 seats), the Freedom Party 23.1% (9), the Austrian People's Party 22.0% (8), the Greens 5.7% (2), and New Austria 2.1% (0). Turnout is 78.7%.
Syria: Ali Abdulrahman Keda is appointed interior minister.
20
Sarabia |
Colombia: Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo announces his resignation. President Gustavo Petro names Laura Sarabia to replace him, effective February 1. She is actually sworn in on January 29, along with Diego Guevara as finance minister.
Vance | 
Rubio |
United States: Donald Trump and J.D. Vance are inaugurated as president and vice president. Trump appoints acting secretaries including Lisa Kenna (state), Robert Salesses (defense), Benjamine Huffman (homeland security), and David Lebryk (treasury). Later in the day Marco Rubio is confirmed by the Senate as secretary of state (99-0); he is sworn in on January 21. On January 23 John Ratcliffe is confirmed (74-25) and sworn in as CIA director. On January 24 Pete Hegseth is confirmed as defense secretary (50-50; tie-breaking vote by Vice President Vance); he is sworn in on January 25. On January 25 Kristi Noem is confirmed (59-34) and sworn in as homeland security secretary; she resigns as governor of South Dakota and the lieutenant governor, Larry Rhoden, succeeds as governor. On January 27 Scott Bessent is confirmed (68-29) as treasury secretary (sworn in January 28). On January 28 Sean Duffy is confirmed (77-22) and sworn in as transportation secretary. On January 29 Lee Zeldin is confirmed (56-42) and sworn in as Environmental Protection Agency administrator. On January 30 Doug Burgum is confirmed (79-18) as secretary of the interior.
21
El Salvador: Former president (2009-14) Mauricio Funes dies.
Palau: President Surangel Whipps, Jr., who was inaugurated for his second term on January 16, renominates Gustav Aitaro as minister of state and Kaleb Udui, Jr., as finance minister.
22
Imbeault |
Canada: Louise Imbeault is sworn in as lieutenant governor of New Brunswick.
China: Former governor of Macau (1991-99) Vasco Rocha Vieira dies.
Eke |
Tonga: The king appoints 'Aisake Eke as prime minister. On January 28 Eke announces his cabinet (appointed by the king on January 30) with himself as finance minister, Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala as foreign and defense minister, and Sinaitakala Tu'itahi as internal affairs minister. The government is sworn in on January 31.
23
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Security Minister Nenad Nesic resigns.
Canada: Former acting commissioner of Yukon Territory (1978) Frank B. Fingland dies.
Congo (Kinshasa): The military governor of Nord-Kivu, Peter Cirimwami Nkuba, is killed during a rebel offensive. The vice-governor, Jean-Romuald Ekuka Lipopo, subsequently becomes acting governor. On January 28 Maj.Gen. Évariste Somo Kakule is appointed as new military governor (taking office January 31).
Ireland: Micheál Martin is elected prime minister (95-76). His cabinet includes Simon Harris as foreign and defence minister, Jim O'Callaghan as home affairs minister, and Paschal Donohoe as finance minister.
Nigeria: Former governor of Bendel (1984-85) and minister of the Federal Capital Territory (1993-98) Jeremiah Timbut Useni dies.
Charles |
Saint Lucia: Errol Charles (acting since 2021) is appointed governor-general (with retroactive effect from Nov. 1, 2024).
Tajikistan: Emomali Sobirzoda is appointed defense minister.
25
Greece: Parliament fails to elect a president in a first round of voting. Konstantinos Tasoulas receives 160 votes (200 needed), Louka Katseli 40, Tasos Giannitsis 34, and Kostas Kyriakou 14. A second round, on January 31, yields the same result. A third round is scheduled for February 6.
26
Belarus: In presidential elections, incumbent Alyaksandr Lukashenka (independent) wins 86.8% of the vote, the nearest challenger being Sergey Syrankov (Communist Party) with 3.2%, and 3.6% voting against all. Turnout is 85.7%.
Botswana: Former foreign minister (1984-94) Gaositwe K.T. Chiepe dies.
Japan: In gubernatorial elections in Gifu, Yoshihide Esaki wins 76.3% of the vote and Reiko Wada 23.7%; turnout is 36.2%. In Yamagata, incumbent Mieko Yoshimura wins 94.7% of the vote and Jun Kanayama 5.3%; turnout is 39.7%.
Norfolk Island: Former administrator (2003-07) Grant Tambling dies.
28
Serbia: Prime Minister Milos Vucevic announces his resignation.
29
Syria: De facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa is proclaimed president for a transitional period. Parliament is dissolved and the constitution abolished.
30
Lisogar-C. |
Canada: Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia is sworn in as lieutenant governor of British Columbia.
Nicaragua: The parliament approves constitutional reforms under which the status of Vice President Rosario Murillo is changed to "co-president."
Norway: The Centre Party, including Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram and Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, quits the government.
Papua New Guinea: The governor of New Ireland, Sir Julius Chan, former prime minister (1980-82, 1994-97) and foreign minister (1994-96), dies. Deputy Governor Sammy Missen becomes acting governor.
31
McIntyre |
Canada: Bernadette McIntyre is installed as lieutenant governor of Saskatchewan.
Myanmar: The state of emergency is extended for another six months. In a cabinet reshuffle, Lt.Gen. Tun Tun Naung becomes interior minister.
Peru: José Salardi is appointed economy and finance minister.
Peru: Former prime minister (2003-05) Carlos Ferrero Costa dies.
