Rulers
May 2018
1
Pashinyan | 
Mnatsakanyan |
Armenia: Parliament fails to elect a prime minister as Nikol Pashinyan, the sole candidate, receives only 45 votes in favour and 56 against. On May 8 Pashinyan is elected in a second round (59-42) and appointed by the president; Defense Minister Vigen Sarkisyan resigns. On May 10 Finance Minister Vardan Aramyan also resigns. On May 11 Davit Tonoyan is appointed defense minister and on May 12 Atom Janjughazyan as finance minister and Zohrab Mnatsakanyan as foreign minister.
Australia: Kim Beazley is sworn in as governor of Western Australia.
Gabon: Prime Minister Emmanuel Issoze-Ngondet presents his resignation. On May 3 President Ali Bongo Ondimba reappoints him to the post. In the new government named on May 4 and sworn in on May 7, Régis Immongault Tatangani becomes foreign minister.
Sierra Leone: President Julius Maada Bio announces a second set of ministers, including David J. Francis as chief minister and Alie Kabba as foreign minister. Parliament approves the first set of ministers on May 4 and most of the second set, including Francis, on May 8. Kabba is confirmed on May 24.
Switzerland: Esther Waeber-Kalbermatten becomes president of the Council of State of Valais and Thomas Heiniger president of the government of Zürich.
2
Sovereign Military Order of Malta: Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto is elected as grand master. He is sworn in on May 3.
Peru: Prime Minister César Villanueva's government wins a parliamentary vote of confidence (94-19).
3
Foote |
Canada: Judy Foote is sworn in as lieutenant governor of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Chad: Prime Minister Albert Pahimi Padacké's government resigns ahead of a new constitution (which abolishes the prime minister's post) coming into force May 4. On May 7 the new government is announced (sworn in May 10), with Issa Mahamat Abdelmahmout as finance minister and other key posts unchanged.
Fedriga |
Italy: Massimiliano Fedriga takes office as president of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
Switzerland: Former president of the government of Basel-Stadt (1968-69, 1976-77) Lukas Burckhardt dies.
6
French Polynesia: In the second round of parliamentary elections, Tapura Huiraatira wins 49.2% of the vote (38 of 57 seats), Tahoeraa Huiraatira 27.7% (11), and Tavini Huiraatira 23.1% (8). Turnout is 66.8%. On May 18, the Assembly reelects Édouard Fritch as president. He receives 39 votes, defeating Geffry Salmon (10) and Oscar Temaru (8). On May 23 Fritch announces his government with Teva Rohfritsch remaining finance minister.
Lebanon: In parliamentary elections, the Free Patriotic Movement and allies win 29 of 128 seats, Hezbollah and allies 27, the Future Movement 20, Amal 17, Lebanese Forces 15, and the Progressive Socialist Party 9. Turnout is 49.2%. On May 24 parliament gives Prime Minister Saad Hariri the mandate to form a new government (68 votes).
Saint Helena: Former administrator of Tristan da Cunha (1961) Peter J.F. Wheeler dies.
Switzerland: Andrea Bettiga is elected Landammann of Glarus.
7
Russia: Vladimir Putin is sworn in for his new presidential term. Dmitry Medvedev's government resigns but Putin again nominates Medvedev as prime minister. Medvedev is approved by parliament on May 8 (374-56). On May 18 Putin appoints the new government, with no change in key positions. Due to their entering the government, the resignations are accepted of the governors of Amur oblast, Aleksandr Kozlov, Tyumen oblast, Vladimir Yakushev, and Yamalo-Nenets autonomous okrug, Dmitry Kobylkin; and Aleksey Gordeyev is released from his position as plenipotentiary of the president in Tsentralny federal district. Vice Governor Sergey Sarychev acts as governor of Tyumen oblast until on May 29 Putin appoints Aleksandr Moor acting governor, also appointing Dmitry Artyukhov acting governor of Yamalo-Nenets autonomous okrug. On May 30 Putin appoints Vasily Orlov as acting governor of Amur oblast.
Serbia: Finance Minister Dusan Vujovic resigns. Parliament acknowledges the resignation on May 16, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic becoming acting minister. On May 25 Brnabic nominates Sinisa Mali as finance minister; he is confirmed by parliament on May 29.
Tonga: Losaline Ma'asi is nominated as internal affairs minister.
United States: LaToya Cantrell is sworn in as mayor of New Orleans.
Alvarado | 
Campbell |
8
Costa Rica: Carlos Alvarado is sworn in as president with his cabinet, including Epsy Campbell as foreign minister (see April 1).
Toma |
Italy: Donato Toma takes office as president of Molise.
Lebanon: Former foreign minister (2000-03, 2004-05) Mahmoud Hammoud dies.
United States: Former governor of California (1983-91) George Deukmejian dies.
9
Gustin |
Guadeloupe: Philippe Gustin is appointed as prefect. He takes office May 28.
Malaysia: In parliamentary elections, the Alliance of Hope wins 113 of 222 seats and the National Front 79. On May 10 Tun Mahathir bin Mohamad is sworn in as prime minister. On May 12 he names Mohamad Sabu as defense minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as home minister, and Lim Guan Eng as finance minister; they are sworn in on May 21. As a result of state elections, new chief ministers are sworn in as follows: Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar in Terengganu on May 10, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Mahathir in Kedah and Adly Zahari in Malacca on May 11, Datuk Osman Sapian in Johor, Aminuddin Harun in Negeri Sembilan, Ahmad Faizal Azumu in Perak, and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal in Sabah on May 12, and Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail in Pahang on May 15; Chow Kon Yeow is sworn in to replace Lim Guan Eng as chief minister of Penang on May 14.
10
Anguilla: Sir Emile Gumbs, former chief minister (1977-80, 1984-94), dies.
Hungary: Parliament reelects Viktor Orbán as prime minister (134-28). On May 18 the new government is appointed, including Tibor Benkö as defense minister and Mihály Varga as finance minister; Péter Szijjártó remains foreign minister and Sándor Pintér interior minister.
Nicaragua: Former member of the National Government Junta (1972-74) Alfonso Lovo Cordero dies.
11
Motzfeldt |
Khan |
Greenland: A new cabinet is announced with Kim Kielsen remaining prime minister, Vivian Motzfeldt as the new foreign minister, and Pele Broberg as the new finance minister.
Pakistan: Defense Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan receives the additional portfolio of foreign affairs.
South Africa: The province of North West is put under national administration. Premier Supra Mahumapelo resigns on May 23.
Sri Lanka: Ariya Bandara Rekawa is sworn in as governor of Uva.
12
Kumaraswamy |
India: In parliamentary elections in Karnataka, the Indian National Congress wins 38.0% of the vote (78 of 224 seats), the Bharatiya Janata Party 36.2% (104), and Janata Dal (Secular) 18.3% (37). Turnout is 72.1%. On May 15 Chief Minister K. Siddaramaiah resigns. B.S. Yeddyurappa is invited to form a government on May 16 and is sworn in as chief minister on May 17. Unable to gain a parliamentary majority, Yeddyurappa resigns on May 19 and H.D. Kumaraswamy is invited to form a new government. Kumaraswamy is sworn in as chief minister on May 23.
Iraq: In parliamentary elections, the Sayirun alliance of Muqtada al-Sadr and the Communist Party wins 54 of 329 seats, the Fatih alliance 47, the Nasr alliance of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi 42, the State of Law coalition 26, the Kurdistan Democratic Party 25, Iyad Allawi's al-Wataniya coalition 22, the Hikma Front 19, and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan 18.
Torra |
Spain: The parliament of Catalonia fails to elect a president of the Generalitat. Quim Torra, the sole candidate, receives 66 votes, with 65 opposed, short of the absolute majority (68 votes) required in the first round of voting. In a second round on May 14, a relative majority is sufficient, and Torra is elected, the vote being again 66-65. He is sworn in on May 17. On May 19, he announces his government with Ernest Maragall as external action minister, Miquel Buch as interior minister, and Pere Aragončs as economy minister.
Timor-Leste: In parliamentary elections, the Alliance for Change and Progress wins 49.6% of the vote (34 of 65 seats), Fretilin 34.2% (23), the Democratic Party 8.1% (5), and the Democratic Development Forum 5.5% (3). Turnout is 81.0%.
13
Brazil: Former governor of Maranhăo (1987-90) Epitácio Cafeteira Afonso Pereira dies.
14
Ecuador: Richard Martínez is named economy and finance minister.
Ahmed |
The Sudan: In a cabinet reshuffle, al-Dirdiri Mohamed Ahmed is named foreign minister and Ibrahim Hamid interior minister; they are sworn in on May 16.
15
Malaysia: Former mayor of Kuala Lumpur (1981-92) Tan Sri Elyas bin Omar dies.
16
Jersey: In parliamentary elections, 8 senators are elected (7 independents and 1 of the Reform Jersey party) as well as 29 deputies (25 independents and 4 of Reform Jersey) and 12 connétables (all independents); 3 of the 29 deputies and 11 of the 12 connétables are elected unopposed.
17
Fofana |
Guinea: The government of Prime Minister Mamady Youla resigns. On May 21 Ibrahima Kassory Fofana is appointed as prime minister. He takes office May 24. In the new government named on May 26, Mamadi Camara becomes finance minister and Alpha Ibrahima Keira security minister, other key positions being unchanged.
United States: The Senate confirms Gina Haspel as CIA director (54-45). She is sworn in on May 21.
18
Spain: Ángel Garrido is elected president of the government of Madrid (65-64). He takes office May 21.
United States: President Donald Trump nominates Robert Wilkie (the acting secretary) as secretary of veterans affairs.
19
Italy: Former president of Abruzzo (2000-05) Giovanni Pace dies.
20
Italy: In parliamentary elections in Valle d'Aosta, the Union Valdôtaine wins 19.2% of the vote (7 of 35 seats), the Lega Salvini Vallée d'Aoste 17.1% (7), Area Civica-Stella Alpina-Pour Notre Vallée 10.7% (4), the Union Valdôtaine Progressiste 10.6% (4), the Five Star Movement 10.4% (4), Autonomy Liberty Participation Ecology 9.0% (3), Civic Engagement 7.5% (3), and the Political Movement for the Future of Valle d'Aosta 7.1% (3). Turnout is 65.1%.
Libya: Former foreign minister (1969) Ali Hassanein dies.
Montenegro: Milo Djukanovic is sworn in as president.
Venezuela: In presidential elections, incumbent Nicolás Maduro wins 67.8% of the vote, Henri Falcón 20.9%, and Javier Bertucci 10.8%. Turnout is 46.1%.
21
Italy: The League and the Five Star Movement nominate Giuseppe Conte as prime minister. On May 23 President Sergio Mattarella gives Conte the mandate to form a government. However, Conte returns it on May 27, after Mattarella rejected the nomination of Paolo Savona as economy and finance minister. On May 28 Mattarella asks Carlo Cottarelli to form a technocratic government. On May 31 Cottarelli returns the mandate and it is again given to Conte, as the two parties name Giovanni Tria to the economy and finance post; other nominees are Enzo Moavero Milanesi for foreign affairs, Elisabetta Trenta for defense, and Matteo Salvini for interior.
Malaysia: Former federal administrator of Kelantan (1977-78) Hashim Aman dies.
Northern Mariana Islands: Former governor (1982-90, 1998-2002) Pedro P. Tenorio dies.
23
Somalia: In a cabinet reshuffle, Hassan Ali Mohamed is appointed as defense minister.
Ludwig |
24
Austria: Michael Ludwig is elected mayor of Wien (56-43).
Mottley | 
Walcott |
Barbados: In parliamentary elections, the Barbados Labour Party wins all 30 seats, defeating the ruling Democratic Labour Party. On May 25 Mia Mottley is sworn in as prime minister. On May 26 she announces her cabinet (sworn in May 27) with Jerome Walcott as foreign minister, Edmund Hinkson as home affairs minister, and herself as finance minister.
United States: In mayoral elections in Nashville, incumbent David Briley wins 54.5% of the vote and Carol Swain 22.9%.
Yamani |
Yemen: President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi appoints Khaled al-Yamani as foreign minister.
25
Lal | 
Rajasekharan |
India: Ganeshi Lal is appointed as governor of Odisha and Kummanam Rajasekharan as governor of Mizoram. They are sworn in on May 29.
Madagascar: The Constitutional Court orders President Hery Rajaonarimampianina to dissolve the present government and form a government of national union.
Myanmar: Finance Minister Kyaw Win resigns. On May 28 Soe Win is nominated as finance minister.
27
Colombia: In the first round of presidential elections, Iván Duque wins 39.9% of the vote, Gustavo Petro 25.5%, Sergio Fajardo 24.2%, and Germán Vargas Lleras 7.4%. Turnout is 53.4%. A runoff will be held on June 17.
Egypt: Former prime minister (1985-86) Ali Lutfi dies.
28
Comoros: Former high commissioner (1962-63) Yves de Daruvar dies.
Dominican Republic: Carlos Amarante Baret resigns as interior minister. On May 30 José Ramón Fadul is appointed in his place.
Castaneda |
El Salvador: Hugo Martínez, chosen as presidential candidate, resigns as foreign minister. Carlos Castaneda becomes acting foreign minister.
Pakistan: Nasir-ul-Mulk is named to become caretaker prime minister on June 1, to remain in office until a new government is set up following elections on July 25.
Paraguay: President Horacio Cartes resigns to take a seat in the Senate. Vice President Alicia Pucheta is to succeed him once the Senate accepts the resignation.
Nosov | 
Nikolayev |
Russia: President Vladimir Putin accepts the resignations of the governor of Magadan oblast, Vladimir Pecheny, and the head of the republic of Sakha, Yegor Borisov; as acting successors are appointed Sergey Nosov and Aysen Nikolayev respectively.
Sweden: Former prime minister (1978-79) and foreign minister (1979-82) Ola Ullsten dies.
29
Tomenko |
Russia: The governor of Altay kray, Aleksandr Karlin, resigns. On May 30 President Vladimir Putin accepts the resignation and appoints Viktor Tomenko as acting governor.
United States: Peter O'Rourke becomes acting secretary of veterans affairs.
United States: Missouri governor Eric Greitens resigns, effective June 1.
United States: Phoenix mayor Greg Stanton resigns. Thelda Williams becomes interim mayor.
31
Switzerland: Pierre Maudet becomes president of the Council of State of Genčve.
