Prime Ministers, O’D-SAI
Prime minister, also called premier, the head of government in a country with a parliamentary or semipresidential political system. In such systems, the prime minister—literally the “first,” or most important, minister—must be able to command a continuous majority in the legislature (usually the lower house in a bicameral system) to remain in office.
Prime Ministers Encyclopedia Articles By Title
O’Donnell, Leopoldo, Duque (duke) De Tetuán
Leopoldo O’Donnell, duke de Tetuán was a Spanish soldier-politician who played a prominent role in the successful......
Paasikivi, Juho Kusti
Juho Kusti Paasikivi was a Finnish statesman and diplomat who, as prime minister (1918, 1944–46) and then president......
Paasio, Rafael
Rafael Paasio was a Finnish typographer, journalist, and politician who served as prime minister of Finland (1966–68,......
Paderewski, Ignacy Jan
Ignacy Jan Paderewski was a Polish pianist, composer, and statesman, who was prime minister of Poland in 1919.......
Page, Sir Earle
Sir Earle Page was an Australian statesman, coleader of the federal government (1923–29) in coalition with Stanley......
Painlevé, Paul
Paul Painlevé was a French politician, mathematician, and patron of aviation who was prime minister at a crucial......
Paksas, Rolandas
Rolandas Paksas is a prime minister (1999, 2000–01) and president (2003–04) of Lithuania. Although he began his......
Paleckis, Justas
Justas Paleckis was a Lithuanian politician who served as prime minister and president of Lithuania with the support......
Palme, Olof
Olof Palme was the prime minister of Sweden (1969–76, 1982–86), a prominent leader of the Swedish Social Democratic......
Palmela, Pedro de Sousa Holstein, duque de
Pedro de Sousa Holstein, duque de Palmela was a Portuguese liberal statesman and supporter of Queen Maria II. Palmela......
Palmer, Geoffrey
Geoffrey Palmer is a New Zealand lawyer, educator, and politician who served as New Zealand Labour Party leader......
Pangalos, Theodoros
Theodoros Pangalos was a soldier and statesman who for eight months in 1926 was the dictator of Greece. After service......
Papademos, Lucas
Lucas Papademos is a Greek economist who served as vice president of the European Central Bank (ECB; 2002–10) and......
Papagos, Alexandros
Alexandros Papagos was a soldier and statesman who late in life organized a political party and became premier......
Papandreou, Andreas
Andreas Papandreou was a politician and educator who was prime minister of Greece from 1981 to 1989 and from 1993......
Papandreou, George
George Papandreou is an American-born Greek politician who served as the prime minister of Greece (2009–11). Papandreou......
Papandreou, Georgios
Georgios Papandreou was a Greek liberal politician who served three terms as prime minister of his country and......
Parkes, Sir Henry
Sir Henry Parkes was a dominant political figure in Australia during the second half of the 19th century, often......
Pashinyan, Nikol
Nikol Pashinyan is an Armenian journalist and politician who serves as prime minister of Armenia (2018– ). He rose......
Paul-Boncour, Joseph
Joseph Paul-Boncour was a French leftist politician who served as the minister of labour, of war, and of foreign......
Pašić, Nikola
Nikola Pašić was the prime minister of Serbia (1891–92, 1904–05, 1906–08, 1909–11, 1912–18) and prime minister......
Pearson, Lester B.
Lester B. Pearson was a Canadian politician and diplomat who served as prime minister of Canada (1963–68). He was......
Pedro Sánchez
Pedro Sánchez is a Spanish politician who has been prime minister of Spain since 2018. He has been secretary-general......
Peel, Robert
Robert Peel was a British prime minister (1834–35, 1841–46) and founder of the Conservative Party. Peel was responsible......
Pelham, Henry
Henry Pelham was the prime minister of Great Britain from 1743 to 1754. A somewhat colourless politician, he worked......
Pelloux, Luigi
Luigi Pelloux was an Italian general and prime minister (1898–1900) who brought his country to the brink of crisis......
Perceval, Spencer
Spencer Perceval was a lawyer, politician, and British prime minister from 1809 until his assassination in 1812.......
Peres, Shimon
Shimon Peres was a Polish-born Israeli statesman, who served as both prime minister (1984–86 and 1995–96) and president......
Perier, Casimir
Casimir Perier was a French banker and statesman who exercised a decisive influence on the political orientation......
Persson, Göran
Göran Persson is a Swedish politician who was prime minister of Sweden from 1996 to 2006. He also was leader (1996–2007)......
Pham Hung
Pham Hung was a Vietnamese politician who served briefly as prime minister (1987–88) and was the first southern......
Phibunsongkhram, Luang
Luang Phibunsongkhram was a field marshal and premier of Thailand in 1938–44 and 1948–57, who was associated with......
Pinay, Antoine
Antoine Pinay was a leader of the Republican Independents in France and premier from March to December 1952. Pinay,......
Pindling, Lynden
Lynden Pindling was a Bahamian politician who, as prime minister (1967–92), guided the Bahamas to independence......
Pitt, William, the Elder
William Pitt, the Elder was a British statesman, twice virtual prime minister (1756–61, 1766–68), who secured the......
Pitt, William, The Younger
William Pitt, the Younger was a British prime minister (1783–1801, 1804–06) during the French Revolutionary and......
Pleven, René
René Pleven was a French politician, twice premier of the Fourth Republic (1950–51, 1951–52), who is best known......
Poincaré, Raymond
Raymond Poincaré was a French statesman who as prime minister in 1912 largely determined the policy that led to......
Pol Pot
Pol Pot was a Khmer political leader who led the Khmer Rouge totalitarian regime (1975–79) in Cambodia that imposed......
Polignac, Jules-Armand, prince de
Jules-Armand, prince de Polignac was a French ultraroyalist. Son of the ultraroyalist duc de Polignac, he was forced......
Pollen, Daniel
Daniel Pollen was an Irish-born physician, prime minister of New Zealand (1875–76), and a public figure who combined......
Pompidou, Georges
Georges Pompidou was a French statesman, bank director, and teacher who was premier of the Fifth French Republic......
Portland, William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, 3rd Duke of, Marquess Of Titchfield, Earl Of Portland, Viscount Woodstock, Baron Of Cirencester
William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, 3rd duke of Portland was a British prime minister from April 2 to Dec. 19, 1783,......
Prachanda
Prachanda is a Nepali rebel leader and politician who headed the Maoist insurgency that ended Nepal’s monarchy......
Price, Thomas
Thomas Price was an Australian statesman who as premier of South Australia (1905–09) was the first long-term Labor......
Pridi Phanomyong
Pridi Phanomyong was a Thai political leader who was one of the instigators of the June 1932 constitutional revolution......
Primakov, Yevgeny
Yevgeny Primakov was a Russian politician who served as prime minister of Russia (1998–99). Primakov grew up with......
Prodi, Romano
Romano Prodi is an Italian politician who was twice prime minister of Italy (1996–98; 2006–08) and who served as......
Protić, Stojan
Stojan Protić was a Serbian statesman and editor who was the first prime minister of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats,......
Prío Socarrás, Carlos
Carlos Prío Socarrás was the president of Cuba (1948–52). Prío became politically active while a law student at......
Psellus, Michael
Michael Psellus was a Byzantine philosopher, theologian, and statesman whose advocacy of Platonic philosophy as......
Putin, Vladimir
Vladimir Putin is a Russian intelligence officer and politician who has served as president (1999–2008 and 2012–......
Päts, Konstantin
Konstantin Päts was an Estonian statesman who served as the last president of Estonia (1938–40) before its incorporation......
Qavam, Ahmad
Ahmad Qavam was an Iranian politician who was a five-time prime minister of Iran (1921–22, 1922–23, 1942–43, 1946–47,......
Qāsim, ʿAbd al-Karīm
ʿAbd al-Karīm Qāsim was an army officer who overthrew the Iraqi monarchy in 1958 and became head of the newly formed......
Rabin, Yitzhak
Yitzhak Rabin was an Israeli statesman and soldier who, as prime minister of Israel (1974–77 and 1992–95), led......
Radowitz, Joseph Maria von
Joseph Maria von Radowitz was a conservative Prussian diplomat and general who was the first statesman to attempt......
Raffarin, Jean-Pierre
Jean-Pierre Raffarin is a French businessman and politician who served as the prime minister of France (2002–05).......
Rahman, Mujibur
Mujibur Rahman was a Bengali leader who became the president (1971–72; 1975) and prime minister (1972–75) of Bangladesh.......
Rahman, Tarique
Tarique Rahman is a Bangladeshi politician who serves as the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and......
Rajapaksa, Mahinda
Mahinda Rajapaksa is a Sri Lankan politician who served as president of Sri Lanka from 2005 to 2015, during which......
Rajaʾi, Mohammad Ali
Mohammad Ali Rajaʾi was an Iranian politician who was prime minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran from 1980......
Rajoy, Mariano
Mariano Rajoy is a Spanish politician who served as prime minister of Spain from 2011 to 2018. Rajoy was raised......
Ramadier, Paul
Paul Ramadier was the first premier (January–November 1947) of the Fourth Republic of France. After receiving his......
Ramos-Horta, José
José Ramos-Horta is an East Timorese political activist who, along with Bishop Carlos F.X. Belo, received the 1996......
Rao, P.V. Narasimha
P.V. Narasimha Rao was a leader of the Congress (I) Party faction of the Indian National Congress (Congress Party)......
Rasmussen, Anders
Anders Rasmussen is a Danish politician who served as prime minister of Denmark (2001–09), leader of the country’s......
Rasmussen, Poul Nyrup
Poul Nyrup Rasmussen is a Danish economist and politician, leader of the Social Democrats from 1992 to 2002, who......
Rattazzi, Urbano
Urbano Rattazzi was a Piedmontese lawyer and statesman who held many important cabinet positions in the early years......
Razmara, Ali
Ali Razmara was an Iranian army officer and government official who was prime minister of Iran from 1950 to 1951.......
Reid, Sir George Houston
Sir George Houston Reid was a statesman and prime minister of Australia (1904–05) who as premier of New South Wales......
Reinfeldt, Fredrik
Fredrik Reinfeldt is a Swedish politician who was the longest-serving conservative prime minister in the history......
Reynaud, Paul
Paul Reynaud was a French politician and statesman who, as premier in June 1940, unsuccessfully attempted to save......
Reynolds, Albert
Albert Reynolds was the taoiseach (prime minister) of Ireland (February 1992–December 1994). Reynolds was educated......
Reza Shah Pahlavi
Reza Shah Pahlavi was an Iranian army officer who rose through army ranks to become shah of Iran (1925–41) and......
Rhodes, Cecil
Cecil Rhodes was a financier, statesman, and empire builder of British South Africa. He was prime minister of Cape......
Ribot, Alexandre
Alexandre Ribot was a French statesman of the Third Republic who was four times premier of France. Ribot studied......
Richelieu, Armand-Emmanuel du Plessis, duke de
Armand-Emmanuel du Plessis, duke de Richelieu was a French nobleman, soldier, and statesman who, as premier of......
Ripon, Frederick John Robinson, 1st Earl of, Viscount Goderich Of Nocton
Frederick John Robinson, 1st earl of Ripon was the prime minister of Great Britain from August 1827 to January......
Ristić, Jovan
Jovan Ristić was a statesman who acted as regent of Serbia twice and served as Serbian prime minister four times......
Robert Fico
Robert Fico is the prime minister of Slovakia, winning his most recent term in 2023. Since 2006 he has held the......
Rocard, Michel
Michel Rocard was a French public servant and politician who was premier of France from 1988 to 1991. Upon graduating......
Rockingham, Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd marquess of
Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd marquess of Rockingham was the prime minister of Great Britain from July 1765 to......
Rogier, Charles Latour
Charles Latour Rogier was a statesman and one of the leaders of the Belgian Revolution of 1830 that resulted in......
Rosebery, Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th earl of
Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th earl of Rosebery was a British prime minister from March 3, 1894, to June 21, 1895;......
Rouvier, Maurice
Maurice Rouvier was a French statesman who had some success in balancing the budget during periods of his seven......
Rowling, Sir Wallace Edward
Sir Wallace Edward Rowling was an educator and politician who upon the death of Prime Minister Norman Kirk was......
Rudd, Kevin
Kevin Rudd is a diplomat and former politician from Australia who served as leader of the Australian Labor Party......
Rudinì, Antonio Starabba, marchese di
Antonio Starabba, marquis di Rudinì was an Italian statesman, premier of Italy (1891–92, 1896–98). A member of......
Rumor, Mariano
Mariano Rumor was a leader of Italy’s Christian Democrat Party and premier in several governments from 1968 to......
Russell (of Kingston Russell), John Russell, 1st Earl, Viscount Amberley of Amberley and of Ardsalla
John Russell, 1st Earl Russell was the prime minister of Great Britain (1846–52, 1865–66), an aristocratic liberal......
Rutte, Mark
Mark Rutte is a Dutch politician who drew praise for his chameleonic ability to find common ground and broker unlikely......
Ryzhkov, Nikolai
Nikolai Ryzhkov was the premier of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. During his tenure, the U.S.S.R. faced an......
Rákosi, Mátyás
Mátyás Rákosi was the Hungarian Communist ruler of Hungary from 1945 to 1956. An adherent of Social Democracy from......
Rădescu, Nicolae
Nicolae Rădescu was a Romanian army officer and prime minister of Romania (December 1944–March 1945). During World......
Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein was the president of Iraq (1979–2003) whose brutal rule was marked by costly and unsuccessful wars......
Sagasta, Práxedes Mateo
Práxedes Mateo Sagasta was a seven-time prime minister of Spain (1871–72, 1874, 1881–83, 1885–90, 1892–95, 1897–99,......
Saint Laurent, Louis
Louis Saint Laurent was a Canadian statesman and jurist who, as Liberal prime minister in 1948–57, helped to maintain......
Saionji Kimmochi
Saionji Kimmochi was the longest-surviving member of the oligarchy that governed Japan after the Meiji Restoration......
Saitō Makoto, Shishaku
Shishaku Saitō Makoto was a Japanese naval officer and statesman who was prime minister of Japan (1932–34) and......