Who Holds Executive Power: Eleven Governments by Constitutional Form

Switzerland has no single leader: seven members elected by the Federal Assembly for four-year terms act together as head of state and head of government, and one of them takes a rotating one-year term as President of the Swiss Confederation. The Federal Council dates to the 1848 Federal Constitution.

Australia places a hereditary monarch, represented by a Governor-General, as head of state, while the prime minister leads the government from the bicameral Parliament. Anthony Albanese has held that office since 23 May 2022.

Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy in which the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is head of state and the prime minister heads the government. Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as the tenth prime minister on 24 November 2022.

In a presidential system the elected president leads the government directly. John Mahama took office on 7 January 2025 after the December 2024 election, becoming the first Ghanaian president elected to a non-consecutive second term.

Tunisia shows how a presidency can concentrate power. After Kais Saied suspended parliament on 25 July 2021 and ruled by decree, a new constitution approved in July 2022 expanded presidential authority, which is why the atlas files this as a presidential administration rather than a semi-presidential government, a contested call.

Poland's semi-presidential system gives the president a real legislative veto and an independent foreign-affairs role, separate from the prime minister's cabinet. Karol Nawrocki has held the presidency since 6 August 2025.

Taiwan is the other half of a semi-presidential pair. The premier, Cho Jung-tai since 20 May 2024, is appointed by the president without legislative approval and heads the Executive Yuan, while the constitution makes the presidency the dominant executive office.

Sudan's executive is a military-led council. The Transitional Sovereignty Council formed on 21 August 2019, was dissolved in the October 2021 coup, and was reconstituted on 11 November 2021 with Abdel Fattah al-Burhan as chairman.

In Afghanistan the ultimate authority is a religious leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, appointed Supreme Leader on 25 May 2016. He overrides the cabinet led by Prime Minister Hasan Akhund on major decisions.

Iran also places final authority in a Supreme Leader over foreign and nuclear policy, distinct from the elected government of President Masoud Pezeshkian. Mojtaba Khamenei took the post when the Assembly of Experts elected him on 8 March 2026.

North Korea ends the path with personal rule through a party. Kim Jong Un has been supreme leader since 2011 and holds the offices of General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, President of the State Affairs Commission and Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army.