Kurz heads Austria’s right-wing coalition

Following the victory of the ÖVP in the 2017 elections, on 20 October Sebastian Kurz, the party’s leader since mid-May and foreign minister in the outgoing SPÖ-ÖVP coalition, was formally tasked with forming the next government. On 15 December the ÖVP and FPÖ announced a coalition agreement, and the new government took office on 18 December.

Annual Swiss presidential elections held

The Swiss Confederation’s head of state is a president, elected annually by the Federal Assembly from the members of the Federal Council. Elections for the coming year were held on 6 December 2017.

New coalition formed in Iceland

On 2 November 2017 Katrin Jakobsdottir, leader of the Left-Green Movement (VGF) which had come second at the previous month’s elections, was given the mandate to form a new government. She formed a coalition with the SSF, which remained the largest party and had headed the outgoing government, and the FSF.

King approves Thai reshuffle

A proposed reshuffle was submitted to the king of Thailand on 17 November and announced on 24 November.

Rick Hou elected PM in the Solomons

Following several defections on 28-29 October 2017, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare lost a confidence vote in parliament on 6 November. 

New Swiss foreign minister takes office

Incumbent Swiss foreign minister Didier BURKHALTER had announced on 14 June 2017 that he intended to stand down at the end of October.

Reshuffle in Benin

President Patrice Talon announced a reshuffle on 27 October 2017, which brought

Two new heads of state take office

On 25 July 2017 new heads of state take office in India and Samoa.

Lesotho’s PM completes his cabinet

After the 2017 elections, Tom Thabane, leader of the All Basotho Convention (ABC), agreed a coalition with the Alliance of Democrats

Romania’s ruling party appoints new PM

By mid-June 2017 Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu had lost the support of his own PSD; on 14 June PSD leader Liviu Dragnea announced the resignation of all PSD ministers,