Rulers

January 2024

1

Chad: Succès Masra is appointed prime minister. On January 2 a cabinet is named with no change in key ministries. On January 19 the government wins a confidence vote (165 of 173 votes) in the transitional parliament.
Honduras: Marlon Ochoa is named finance minister (sworn in January 5).
Israel: The Knesset confirms Yisrael Katz as foreign minister.

Amherd
Switzerland: Viola Amherd takes office as president and Elisabeth Baume-Schneider as interior minister. Markus Dieth becomes Landammann of Aargau, Jean-Pierre Siggen president of the Council of State of Fribourg, Jon Domenic Parolini president of the government of Graubünden, Rosalie Beuret Siess president of the government of Jura, Patrick Strasser president of the government of Schaffhausen, and Peter Hodel Landammann of Solothurn.
Trinidad and Tobago: Former foreign minister (1986-88) and prime minister (1995-2001) Basdeo Panday dies.
United States: Shammas Malik takes office as mayor of Akron, Arunan Arulampalam as mayor of Hartford, and Cherelle Parker as mayor of Philadelphia.

2

Marshall Islands: Hilda C. Heine is elected president, defeating incumbent David Kabua 17-16. She is sworn in on January 3. On January 9 she names a cabinet (immediately sworn in) with Kalani Kaneko as foreign minister, Jess Gasper, Jr., as internal affairs minister, and David Paul as finance minister.
Pakistan: Former foreign minister (1998-99) and foreign affairs advisor (2013-17) Sartaj Aziz dies.
United States: Connie Boesen takes office as mayor of Des Moines and John Whitmire as mayor of Houston.

4

Kuwait: The emir appoints Sheikh Muhammad Sabah Al Salim Al Sabah as prime minister. On January 17 a new cabinet is announced and sworn in with Abdullah Ali al-Yahya as foreign minister, Fahad Yusuf Al Sabah as defense minister and acting interior minister, and Anwar Ali al-Mudhaf as finance minister.
Madagascar: President Andry Rajoelina reappoints Christian Ntsay as prime minister. On January 14 a cabinet is named with Rasata Rafaravavitafika as foreign minister and Gen. Delphin Sahivelo as defense minister; Justin Tokely remains interior minister and Rindra Hasimbelo Rabarinirinarison finance minister.

5

France: Former president of the Regional Council of Lorraine (1982-92) Jean-Marie Rausch dies.

7

Bangladesh: In parliamentary elections (boycotted by the main opposition), the Awami League wins 222 of 300 seats and independents 62. Turnout is 41.8%. On January 10 President Mohammad Shahabuddin Chuppu asks Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed to form a new government. On January 11 Hasina's cabinet is announced with herself remaining defense minister and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal home affairs minister, while Mohammad Hasan Mahmud becomes foreign minister and Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali finance minister. The government is sworn in on the same date.

8

Cyprus: In a cabinet reshuffle, Vasilis Palmas is appointed defense minister, effective January 10.
France: Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne resigns. On January 9 Gabriel Attal is appointed prime minister and asked to form a new government. On January 11 the government is announced with Stéphane Séjourné as foreign minister (taking office January 12), other key ministers being unchanged.
Guatemala: President-elect Bernardo Arévalo (to take office January 14) names a cabinet including Carlos Ramiro Martínez as foreign minister, Henry Sáenz as defense minister, Francisco Jiménez Irungaray as interior minister, and Jonathan Menkos as finance minister. After a delay by Congress, Arévalo is sworn in early on January 15.
Federated States of Micronesia: Stevenson A. Joseph takes office as governor of Pohnpei.
The Netherlands: Rob Jetten becomes acting finance minister. On January 12 Steven van Weyenberg takes office as finance minister.
Somalia: The parliament of Puntland reelects Said Abdullahi Deni as president. In the third round of voting, he receives 45 votes, against 21 for Guled Salah Barre.
United States: Jeff Landry takes office as governor of Louisiana.

9

Bhutan: In the second round of parliamentary elections, the People's Democratic Party wins 55.0% of the vote (30 of 47 seats) and the Bhutan Tendrel Party 45.0% (17). Turnout is 65.6%. On January 28 Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay is appointed prime minister. Lyonpo Dinanath Dhungyel becomes foreign minister, Lyonpo Tshering home affairs minister, and Lyonpo Lekey Dorji finance minister.

10


Cho
South Korea: Cho Tae Yul is appointed as foreign minister.
Russia: Former chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Mordovian A.S.S.R. (1978-91) Vasily Uchaykin dies.

11

Congo (Kinshasa): The interior minister suspends the governors of Kinshasa (Gentiny Ngobila Mbaka), Équateur (Bobo Boloko Bolumbu), and Mongala (César Limbaya Mbangisa) and asks the vice-governors to be acting governors: Gérard Mulumba Kongolo wa Kongolo (Kinshasa), Taylor Nganzi Nkaka (Équateur), and Blaise Mongo Bosekonzo (Mongala). Mulumba takes office January 18.
Philippines: Ralph Recto is appointed finance secretary (sworn in January 12).
Sint Maarten: In parliamentary elections, the National Alliance wins 23.9% of the vote (4 of 15 seats), the United People's Party 19.6% (3), the Unified Resilient Sint Maarten Movement 13.9% (2), the Democratic Party 13.6% (2), the Party for Progress 11.9% (2), and Nation Opportunity Wealth 10.3% (2). Turnout is 65.1%. On January 19 Governor Ajamu G. Baly appoints Nilda Lynch-Arduin and Candia Joseph as informateurs.

12

Congo (Kinshasa): The government suspends the governor of Tshuapa, Pancrace Boongo Nkoy, as well as the vice-governor, and asks the interior minister of the province to be acting governor.
Nigeria: The Supreme Court reverses decisions of the Court of Appeal of Nov. 17 and 19, 2023, and affirms Abba Kabir Yusuf and Caleb Mutfwang as duly elected governors of Kano and Plateau respectively.

13

Taiwan: In presidential elections, Lai Ching-te (Democratic Progressive Party) wins 40.1% of the vote, Hou Yu-ih (Kuomintang) 33.5%, and Ko Wen-je (Taiwan People's Party) 26.5%; turnout is 71.9%. In parliamentary elections, the Democratic Progressive Party wins 36.2% of the vote (51 of 113 seats), the Kuomintang 34.6% (52), and the Taiwan People's Party 22.1% (8); turnout is 71.8%. On January 18 the government of Premier Chen Chien-jen resigns; President Tsai Ing-wen asks it to remain in office.

14

Comoros: In presidential elections, incumbent Azali Assoumani (Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros) wins 57.0% of the vote, Salim Issa Abdallah (Juwa Party) 11.1%, Daoudou Abdallah Mohamed (Orange Party) 10.2%, Bourhane Hamidou (independent) 10.1%, and Mouigni Baraka Said Soilihi (Democratic Rally for Equality) 10.0%. Turnout is 56.4%. Results of gubernatorial elections (the governors-elect to take office May 23): Denmark: Crown Prince Frederik becomes King Frederik X upon the abdication of Queen Margrethe II.

15

Zambia: Former foreign minister (2005-06) Ronnie Shikapwasha dies.

16

Estonia: Vaino Väljas, former first secretary (1988-90) and chairman (1990-91) of the Communist Party, dies.

17

Gabon: In a cabinet reshuffle, Gen. Brigitte Onkanowa is appointed as defense minister and Hermann Immongault as interior and security minister (they were previously only minister-delegate).

18


Pruce
British Virgin Islands: Deputy Governor David D. Archer, Jr., is sworn in as acting governor after the departure of Governor John Rankin. The new governor, Daniel Pruce, is sworn in on January 29.
Germany: The Landtag of Hessen reelects Boris Rhein as minister-president (76-56).
Papua New Guinea: In a cabinet reshuffle, Justin Tkatchenko is appointed as foreign minister and Billy Joseph as defense minister.

22


Boakai
Liberia: Joseph Boakai is sworn in as president. He nominates Boima S. Kamara as finance minister. On January 25 he nominates Sara Beysolow Nyanti as foreign minister.

23

North Macedonia: Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski says he will resign on January 25 to make way for a caretaker government ahead of elections. Following the resignation, President Stevo Pendarovski on January 26 asks Talat Xhaferi to form the caretaker government. On January 28 Xhaferi is elected prime minister by a vote of 65-3 in the 120-seat parliament. Pance Toskovski becomes interior minister, other key ministers remaining in place.

24

Colombia: The inspector general suspends Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva for three months.
Congo (Kinshasa): The government approves a 65th extension of the state of siege in Ituri and Nord-Kivu.
Moldova: Foreign Minister Nicolae Popescu resigns. Mihai Popsoi is named to succeed him, effective January 29.

25


Jeannotte
Canada: Manon Jeannotte is sworn in as lieutenant governor of Quebec.
Congo (Kinshasa): The interior minister reinstates the four governors suspended on January 11 and 12.

26

Ethiopia: Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen resigns.
Malaysia: Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar is appointed as yang di-pertua negeri of Sarawak (sworn in January 29).
Tuvalu: In parliamentary elections, 16 nonpartisan members are elected (including 2 unopposed). Prime Minister Kausea Natano loses his seat.

27

Argentina: Former governor of La Pampa (1983-87, 1991-2003) Rubén Marín dies.
Nigeria: Ahmed Usman Ododo is sworn in as governor of Kogi.

28

Finland: In the first round of presidential elections, former prime minister Alexander Stubb (National Coalition Party) wins 27.2% of the vote, former foreign minister Pekka Haavisto (independent/Green League) 25.8%, Jussi Halla-aho (Finns Party) 19.0%, and Olli Rehn (Centre Party) 15.3%. Turnout is 71.5%. The runoff will be held on February 11.

29

Georgia: Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili resigns.

30

Federated States of Micronesia: Former governor of Chuuk (1996-97) Marcellino Umwech dies.

31

India: The chief minister of Jharkhand, Hemant Soren, resigns and Champai Soren is chosen as chief minister-designate.
Malaysia: Tuanku Ibrahim Ismail ibni al-Marhum Sultan Iskandar is sworn in as paramount ruler.