Rulers
October 2025
1
Rossi | 
Bugli |
San Marino: Matteo Rossi (Party of Socialists and Democrats) and Lorenzo Bugli (Christian Democrat) take office as captains-regent.
2
Congo (Kinshasa): Parliament approves the 106th extension of the state of siege in Ituri and Nord-Kivu, and a 107th on October 16 and 108th on October 29.
3
Luxembourg: Grand Duke Henri abdicates and Crown Prince Guillaume becomes Grand Duke Guillaume V.
4
Czech Republic: In parliamentary elections held October 3-4, the Action of Dissatisfied Citizens 2011 wins 34.5% of the vote (80 of 200 seats), the SPOLU coalition (including Civic Democratic Party, Christian and Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party, and Tradition Responsibility Prosperity 09) 23.4% (52), Mayors and Independents 11.2% (22), the Pirate Party 9.0% (18), Freedom and Direct Democracy 7.8% (15), Motorists for Themselves 6.8% (13), and Stacilo! 4.3% (0). Turnout is 68.9%. On October 27 President Petr Pavel names Andrej Babis to lead talks on forming a new government.
Malawi: Peter Mutharika takes office as president. On October 5 he names George Chaponda as foreign minister and Joseph Mwanamvekha as finance minister. The full cabinet is appointed on October 30, including Peter Mukhito as homeland security minister.
Solomon Islands: In a cabinet reshuffle, Rexon Annex Ramofafia is appointed finance minister.
5
Algeria: Former foreign minister (1982-88) Ahmed Taleb Ibrahimi dies.
France: The cabinet of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is appointed with Bruno Le Maire as armies minister and Roland Lescure as finance minister; Jean-Noël Barrot remains foreign minister and Bruno Retailleau interior minister. However, on October 6 Lecornu resigns before any ministerial handovers occurred. The new ministers thus enter office immediately in caretaker mode, except Le Maire who withdraws entirely, so that Lecornu remains in charge of the armies portfolio. President Emmanuel Macron, who accepted Lecornu's resignation, asks him again to find a way to form a stable government by October 8. On October 10 Macron reappoints Lecornu as prime minister. On October 12 his new government is named with Catherine Vautrin as armies minister and Laurent Nuñez as interior minister (taking office October 13); Barrot remains foreign minister and Lescure finance minister. On October 16 Lecornu survives two no-confidence motions, which receive 271 and 144 votes respectively (289 needed).
Spain: Former president of the Junta of Extremadura (2007-11, 2015-23) Guillermo Fernández Vara dies.
Syria: In parliamentary elections (by electoral colleges), 121 nonpartisan members are elected; elections to 19 of the 140 elected seats are postponed. With 70 members appointed by the president, the total is 210.
6
Italy: In presidential elections in Calabria held on October 5-6, incumbent Roberto Occhiuto (centre-right) wins 57.3% of the vote and Pasquale Tridico (centre-left) 41.7%. Turnout is 43.2%.
Madagascar: President Andry Rajoelina names Gen. Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo as prime minister. On October 7 Zafisambo takes office and Gen. Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo Deramasinjaka is appointed armed forces minister and Mandimbin'ny Aina Randriambelo public security minister.
The Sudan: Former prime minister (2019) Mohamed Tahir Ayala dies.
7
Barbados: Parliament acclaims Jeffrey Bostic (unopposed) as president. He is to take office November 30.
8
Canada: In mayoral elections in Saint John's, incumbent Danny Breen wins 56.7% of the vote and Ivy Hanley 43.3%.
9
European Union: The European Commission headed by Ursula von der Leyen survives two no-confidence motions in the European Parliament (rejected 378-179 and 383-133).
10
Kosovo: Parliament elects its full leadership, clearing the path to the formation of a new government. On October 11 President Vjosa Osmani asks Prime Minister Albin Kurti to form another government. On October 26 Kurti names his cabinet including Glauk Konjufca as foreign minister, Ejup Maqedonci as defense minister, Xhelal Sveçla as internal affairs minister, and Hekuran Murati as finance minister. However, parliament fails to elect Kurti, who receives only 56 votes (61 needed), with 52 against.
Peru: Congress votes (122-0) to remove President Dina Boluarte. The president of Congress, José Jerí, is sworn in as new president. On October 13 he accepts the resignations of the members of the government of Prime Minister Eduardo Arana. On October 14 Ernesto Álvarez is appointed and sworn in as prime minister with a cabinet including Hugo de Zela as foreign minister, César Díaz as defense minister, Vicente Tiburcio as interior minister, and Denisse Miralles as economy and finance minister. The government wins a confidence vote in Congress (79-15) on October 22.
11
Gabon: In the second round of parliamentary elections, the Democratic Union of Builders wins 46 seats (for a total of 101), the Gabonese Democratic Party 11 (for a total of 15), and independents 7 (for a total of 9). 8 of the 145 seats remain to be filled at a later date following cancellations.
Nauru: In parliamentary elections, 19 nonpartisan members are elected. On October 14 parliament reelects (unopposed) David Adeang as president. On October 15 he names his cabinet, keeping the finance and internal affairs portfolios, with Lionel Aingimea remaining foreign minister.
Seychelles: In the presidential runoff held October 9-11, Patrick Herminie wins 52.7% of the vote and Wavel Ramkalawan 47.3%. Turnout is 86.7%. Herminie is sworn in on October 26. On October 28 he submits his proposed cabinet list to parliament for approval (names not announced yet).
United States: In mayoral elections in New Orleans, Helena Moreno (Democrat) wins 55.0% of the vote, Royce Duplessis (Dem.) 22.4%, and Oliver Thomas (Dem.) 18.7%.
12
Cameroon: In presidential elections, incumbent Paul Biya wins 53.7% of the vote and Issa Tchiroma Bakary 35.2%. Turnout is 57.8%.
13
Italy: In presidential elections in Toscana held October 12-13, incumbent Eugenio Giani (centre-left) wins 53.9% of the vote, Alessandro Tomasi (centre-right) 40.9%, and Antonella Bundu (Toscana Rossa) 5.2%. Turnout is 47.7%.
Nigeria: Former foreign minister (2006-07) Joy Ogwu dies.
14
Cameroon: Former prime minister (1983-84) Luc Ayang dies.
Canada: In parliamentary elections in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Progressive Conservative Party wins 44.4% of the vote (21 of 40 seats), the Liberal Party 43.4% (15), the New Democratic Party 8.3% (2), and independents 3.9% (2). On October 29 Tony Wakeham is sworn in as premier.
Madagascar: President Andry Rajoelina, earlier reported to have left the country amid protests, dissolves the National Assembly. The assembly then impeaches Rajoelina (130-0), described by the presidency as null and void. Thereafter the military takes power, Col. Michael Randrianirina declaring all institutions dissolved except the National Assembly. The High Constitutional Court, noting the vacancy of the presidency and of the presidency of the Senate as well as an inability of the government to fulfill the presidential functions, invites Randrianirina to become head of state. He is sworn in as president on October 17. On October 20 he names Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo as prime minister (taking office October 22). On October 28 a cabinet is appointed including Christine Razanamahasoa as foreign minister, Gen. Élie Razafitombo as armed forces minister, Velonjara Rakotonandrasana as interior minister, and Herinjatovo Aimé Ramiarison as finance minister.
Russia: Aleksandr Dronov is sworn in as governor of Novgorod oblast.
15
Guatemala: Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez resigns. On October 17 Marco Antonio Villeda Sandoval is named interior minister.
India: Former chief minister of Goa (1991-93, 1994) Ravi Naik dies.
Ireland: Foreign Minister Simon Harris wins a confidence vote in parliament (94-65).
Kenya: Former prime minister (2008-13) Raila Odinga dies.
Mali: Former interim prime minister (1991-92) Soumana Sacko dies.
New Zealand: Former prime minister (1990-97) Jim Bolger dies.
Pakistan: Former acting governor of Sindh (2017, 2018, 2022) Agha Siraj Durrani dies.
Venezuela: Former governor of Lara (1995-2000) Orlando Fernández dies.
17
Japan: Former prime minister (1994-96) Tomiichi Murayama dies.
Mongolia: Prime Minister Gombojav Zandanshatar loses a no-confidence vote (71-40) and resigns. On October 20 President Ukhnaa Khürelsükh vetoes the parliamentary vote as unconstitutional. On October 21 Zandanshatar asks the Constitutional Court to determine the constitutionality of the process; on October 22 it rules that it was unconstitutional.
Ukraine: Former first secretary of the Communist Party committee of the Crimean A.S.S.R. (1991) and chairman of parliament of Crimea (1998-2002) Leonid Hrach dies.
18
Bosnia and Herzegovina: The parliament of Republika Srpska appoints Ana Trisic Babic as interim president.
Christmas Island: In elections to the Shire, 3 nonpartisan members are elected.
Cocos Islands: In elections to the Shire, 4 nonpartisan members are elected unopposed.
19
Bolivia: In the presidential runoff, Rodrigo Paz Pereira wins 55.0% of the vote and Jorge Quiroga Ramírez 45.0%. Turnout is 85.3%.
Cyprus: In presidential elections in North Cyprus, Tufan Erhürman (Republican Turkish Party) wins 62.8% of the vote and incumbent Ersin Tatar (independent) 35.8%. Turnout is 64.9%. Erhürman is sworn in on October 24.
Syria: Former prime minister (1980-87) Abdul Rauf al-Kasm dies.
20
Canada: In mayoral elections in Calgary, Jeromy Farkas is elected with 26.1% of the vote, against Sonya Sharp (26.0%), incumbent Jyoti Gondek (20.5%), Jeff Davison (13.6%), and Brian Thiessen (11.6%); turnout is 39.0%. In Edmonton, Andrew Knack is elected with 38.0% of the vote, defeating Tim Cartmell (29.8%), Michael Walters (11.9%), and Omar Mohammad (9.9%); turnout is 30.3%. Farkas and Knack take office October 29.
21
Argentina: Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein resigns effective October 27. On October 23 Pablo Quirno is named to replace him (sworn in October 28).
Japan: Sanae Takaichi is elected prime minister, receiving 237 votes in the 465-seat lower house, against 149 for Yoshihiko Noda. In the upper house, Takaichi receives 123 of 246 votes, against 44 for Noda, requiring a runoff, which she wins 125-46. She appoints Toshimitsu Motegi as foreign minister, Shinjiro Koizumi as defense minister, Yoshimasa Hayashi as internal affairs minister, and Satsuki Katayama as finance minister.
Lithuania: Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene announces her resignation but President Gitanas Nauseda asks her not to submit it yet. However, she does so on October 22; Nauseda accepts it and appoints Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic as acting defense minister from October 23.
Portugal: Former prime minister (1981-83) Francisco Pinto Balsemão dies.
22
Wallis and Futuna: Jean-François de Manheulle is appointed administrator-superior.
24
Congo (Kinshasa): The governor of Sud-Kivu, Jean-Jacques Purusi, survives a no-confidence motion in the provincial assembly (rejected by 30 of 35 deputies).
Ireland: In presidential elections, Catherine Connolly wins 63.4% of the vote, Heather Humphreys 29.5%, and Jim Gavin (withdrawn, but remained on ballot) 7.2%. Turnout is 45.8%.
Moldova: President Maia Sandu asks Alexandru Munteanu to form a government. On October 28 Munteanu names his proposed government with Andrian Gavrilita as finance minister; Mihai Popsoi is to remain foreign minister, Anatolie Nosatîi defense minister, and Daniella Misail-Nichitin interior minister. On October 31 the government is approved by parliament (55 votes).
United States: Former navy secretary (1974-77) J. William Middendorf dies.
25
Côte d'Ivoire: In presidential elections, incumbent Alassane Ouattara wins 91.2% of the vote. Turnout is 50.1%.
Vietnam: Le Hoai Trung is appointed foreign minister and Do Thanh Binh interior minister.
26
Argentina: In elections to 127 of 257 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, La Libertad Avanza wins about 41% of the vote and 64 seats (for a total of 93) and Fuerza Patria about 35% and 48 (for a total of 101); turnout is about 68%. In elections to 24 of 72 seats in the Senate, La Libertad Avanza wins about 42% of the vote and 13 seats and Fuerza Patria about 37% and 9; turnout is about 70%. In gubernatorial elections in Santiago del Estero, Elías Suárez (Frente Cívico) wins 73.8% of the vote, Alejandro Parnás (Despierta Santiago) 11.0%, and Ítalo Cioccolani (La Libertad Avanza) 10.4%; turnout is 73.0%.
Japan: In gubernatorial elections in Miyagi, incumbent Yoshihiro Murai is reelected with 39.3% of the vote, defeating Masamune Wada (37.5%) and Miyuki Yusa (20.4%). Turnout is 46.5%.
Palestine: President Mahmoud Abbas designates Hussein al-Sheikh as interim successor should his position fall vacant.
Slovenia: Interior Minister Bostjan Poklukar resigns.
27
Canada: In parliamentary elections in Nunavut, 22 nonpartisan members are elected (including 2 already acclaimed on September 26). Turnout is 48.1%.
Congo (Kinshasa): The governor of Tshopo, Paulin Lendongolia Lebabonga, loses a no-confidence vote in the provincial assembly (passed 18-0). On October 29 Lendongolia appeals to the Constitutional Court. On October 30 Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo declares that the vote disregarded certain fundamental principles.
Spain: The president of the Junta of Extremadura, María Guardiola Martín, facing her inability to get the 2026 budget adopted, dissolves the regional parliament and calls for new elections to be held on December 21.
28
Fiji: Finance Minister Biman Prasad resigns. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka appoints the assistant minister for finance, Esrom Immanuel, as acting finance minister.
29
The Netherlands: In parliamentary elections, the Democrats 66 win 16.9% of the vote (26 of 150 seats), the Party for Freedom 16.7% (26), the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 14.2% (22), the coalition of Green Left and Labour Party 12.6% (20), the Christian Democratic Appeal 11.8% (18), Right Answer 2021 5.9% (9), and the Forum for Democracy 4.6% (7). Turnout is 78.4%.
Tanzania: In presidential elections, incumbent Samia Suluhu Hassan (Chama Cha Mapinduzi) wins 97.7% of the vote; turnout is about 87%. In parliamentary elections, Chama Cha Mapinduzi wins 371 seats and others 12. (With elections for 2 seats postponed, one ex-officio member, and 10 members nominated by the president, the total is 396.) In presidential elections in Zanzibar, incumbent Hussein Mwinyi (Chama Cha Mapinduzi) wins 74.8% of the vote and Othman Masoud Othman (ACT-Wazalendo) 23.2%; turnout is about 88%.
31
Albania: Former prime minister (1991, 1997-98, 2002-05) Fatos Nano dies.
Argentina: Cabinet Chief Guillermo Francos and Interior Minister Lisandro Catalán resign. Manuel Adorni is named cabinet chief (to take office November 3).
Haiti: The Provisional Electoral Council announces that the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for November 15 cannot be held before Feb. 7, 2026, the date of the end of the mandate of the Transitional Presidential Council.