Council of State composed of the monarch, heir
apparent, and councilors that provides consultations to the cabinet
on legislative and administrative policy

Netherlands Antilles
chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the
Netherlands (since 30 April 1980); represented by Governor General
Frits GOEDGEDRAG (since 1 July 2002)
head of government: Prime Minister Emily de JONGH-ELHAGE (since 26
March 2006)
cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten (legislature)
elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by
the monarch for a six-year term; following legislative elections,
the leader of the majority party is usually elected prime minister
by the Staten; election last held 27 January 2006 (next to be held
by 2010)
note: government coalition - PAR, PNP, DP-St. M, UPB, WIPM Saba,
DP-St. E

New Caledonia
chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16
May 2007); represented by High Commissioner Yves DASSONVILLE (since
9 November 2007)
head of government: President of the Government Harold MARTIN (since
7 August 2007)
cabinet: Cabinet consisting of 11 members elected from and by the
Territorial Congress
elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year
term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the
advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the
government elected by the members of the Territorial Congress for a
five-year term (no term limits); note - last election held 7 August
2007 when Harold MARTIN was elected following the resignation of
Marie-Noelle THEMEREAU as president on 24 July 2007 (next to be held
in 2012)

New Zealand
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February
1952); represented by Governor General Anand SATYANAND (since 23
August 2006)
head of government: Prime Minister John KEY (since 19 November
2008); Deputy Prime Minister Bill ENGLISH (since 19 November 2008)
cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the
recommendation of the prime minister
elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by
the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the
majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually
appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime
minister appointed by the governor general

Nicaragua
chief of state: President Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10