March 2026

1

Iceland: Former prime minister (1991-2004) and foreign minister (2004-05) Davíd Oddsson dies.
Iran: Ayatollah Alireza Arafi is appointed to an Interim Leadership Council, whose others members are President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei. On March 2 Pezeshkian appoints Majid Ebnelreza as acting defense minister. On March 8 Hojatoleslam (now Ayatollah) Mojtaba Khamenei is elected as new rahbar.

2

Haiti: In a cabinet reshuffle, Raina Forbin is appointed as foreign minister and Mario Andrésol as defense minister.
Iraq: Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani also becomes acting defense minister, replacing Thabet Muhammad al-Abbasi who was elected to parliament and became unable to hold an executive office.
Japan: Ken Hirata takes office as governor of Nagasaki.

4

Albania: President Bajram Begaj appoints the new ministers (see February 26).
China: Former chairman of the Revolutionary Committee of Gansu (1977-79) Song Ping dies.
Somalia: Parliament votes to extend its term, and that of the president, by a year.
South Africa: Former premier of Free State (1994-96) Mosiuoa Lekota dies.
Spain: María Guardiola Martín fails to be elected president of the Junta of Extremadura, winning 29 votes, with 36 against. Another vote on March 6 has the same result.

5

India: President Draupadi Murmu accepts the resignation of C.V. Ananda Bose as governor of West Bengal and appoints R.N. Ravi in his place (sworn in March 12), and also Syed Ata Hasnain as governor of Bihar (sworn in March 14), Kavinder Gupta as governor of Himachal Pradesh (sworn in March 10), Jishnu Dev Varma as governor of Maharashtra (sworn in March 10), Nand Kishore Yadav as governor of Nagaland (sworn in March 13), Shiv Pratap Shukla as governor of Telangana (sworn in March 11), Vinai Kumar Saxena as lieutenant governor of Ladakh (sworn in March 13), and Taranjit Singh Sandhu as lieutenant governor of Delhi (sworn in March 11). The governor of Kerala, Rajendra Arlekar, is given additional charge of Tamil Nadu (sworn in March 12).
Kosovo: The election of a president fails due to lack of quorum. On March 6 President Vjosa Osmani dissolves parliament and calls new elections. The Vetëvendosje party announces an appeal to the Constitutional Court against the dissolution. On March 9 the court suspends the presidential decree until March 31. On March 25 the court invalidates the decree and gives parliament 34 days to complete the election of a president; in case of failure parliament will automatically dissolve.
Nepal: In parliamentary elections, the Rastriya Swatantra Party wins 47.8% of the vote (182 of 275 seats), the Nepali Congress Party 16.2% (38), the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) 13.4% (25), and the Nepali Communist Party 7.5% (17). Turnout is about 60%. On March 27 Balendra Shah is sworn in as prime minister with a cabinet including himself as defense minister, Shishir Khanal as foreign minister, Sudhan Gurung as home affairs minister, and Swarnim Wagle as finance minister.
United States: President Donald Trump dismisses Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, nominating Markwayne Mullin to replace her. Mullin is confirmed by the Senate (54-45) on March 23 and sworn in on March 24.

6

American Samoa: Former governor (2013-21) Lolo Matalasi Moliga dies.
Congo (Kinshasa): The government adopts a 117th extension of the state of siege in Ituri and Nord-Kivu, and a 118th on March 20.

8

Germany: In state elections in Baden-Württemberg, the Greens win 30.2% of the vote (56 of 157 seats), the Christian Democratic Union 29.7% (56), the Alternative for Germany 18.8% (35), the Social Democratic Party 5.5% (10), the Left 4.4% (0), and the Free Democratic Party 4.4% (0). Turnout is 69.6%.
Japan: In gubernatorial elections in Ishikawa, Yukiyoshi Yamano is elected with 49.7% of the vote, defeating incumbent Hiroshi Hase (48.4%). Turnout is 54.7%. Yamano takes office March 27.

9

China: Former governor of Anhui (2002-07) Wang Jinshan dies.
Italy: Former president of Sicilia (1980-82) Mario D'Acquisto dies.
Lebanon: Parliament extends its own mandate for two years.
Madagascar: President Michael Randrianirina dismisses the government of Prime Minister Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo. On March 15 Mamitiana Rajaonarison is named prime minister (taking office March 16). On March 25 a cabinet is announced with Alice N'Diaye as foreign minister, other key ministers remaining unchanged.
Portugal: António José Seguro is sworn in as president.

11

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Chile: José Antonio Kast is sworn in as president with his cabinet (see January 20), including Francisco Pérez Mackenna as foreign minister.
Libya: In a cabinet reshuffle, Rashed Abughufa is appointed finance minister.
Papua New Guinea: Sir Noel Levi, former foreign minister (1980-82), also secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum (1998-2004), dies.

12

Oman: Former foreign minister (1972-73) Fahd ibn Mahmud al-Said dies.
Pakistan: The governor of Sindh, Kamran Tessori, is dismissed and Nehal Hashmi appointed as governor (sworn in March 13).

13

Afghanistan: Former prime minister (1981-88, 1989-90) Sultan Ali Keshtmand dies.
Congo (Kinshasa): The Constitutional Court annuls all the decisions made during the September-December 2025 session of the provincial assembly of Sud-Ubangi, including the impeachment (December 30) of Governor Michée Mobonga.
Greenland: The Siumut party withdraws from the government, meaning that Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt leaves her post, Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen temporarily taking over the portfolio.

15

Congo (Brazzaville): In presidential elections, incumbent Denis Sassou-Nguesso wins 94.8% of the vote. Turnout is 84.6%.
North Korea: In parliamentary elections, 687 unopposed candidates are approved by 99.9% of the vote. Turnout is 100.0%. On March 22 Kim Jong Un is reelected chairman of the State Affairs Commission and Jo Yong Won is elected chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly. Pak Thae Song is reappointed as premier.
Madagascar: Former foreign minister (2022) Richard Randriamandrato dies.
Solomon Islands: Ten ministers tender their resignations. On March 16 Foreign Minister Peter Shanel Agovaka also resigns. In a cabinet reshuffle on March 22 Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele appoints himself supervising minister of foreign affairs. On March 26 the new opposition grouping files a court action to force an immediate meeting of parliament to vote on a no-confidence motion against the Manele government.
Spain: In parliamentary elections in Castilla-León, the Popular Party wins 36.0% of the vote (33 of 82 seats), the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party 31.2% (30), Vox 19.2% (14), and the Leonese People's Union 4.4% (3). Turnout is 65.7%.
Vietnam: In parliamentary elections, the Communist Party wins 482 of 500 seats. Turnout is 99.6%.

16

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Denis Becirovic becomes chairman of the Presidency.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: The prime minister of Republika Srpska, Savo Minic, resigns. On March 17 President Sinisa Karan asks Minic to form a new government and he is reappointed by parliament with an unchanged cabinet.

17

Peru: Prime Minister Denisse Miralles resigns. Luis Arroyo Sánchez is sworn in to replace her, with Carlos Alberto Díaz Dañino replacing him as defense minister. José Zapata becomes interior minister and Rodolfo Acuña finance minister; Hugo de Zela remains foreign minister.

18

Congo (Kinshasa): Former commissioner of Bas-Zaïre (1972-75) and governor of Kinshasa (1986-87) Catherine Nzuzi wa Mbombo dies.
Kyrgyzstan: Ruslan Suynaliyev is appointed finance minister.
Venezuela: Gen. Gustavo González López is named defense minister.

19

Brazil: Finance Minister Fernando Haddad resigns. Dario Durigan is named finance minister (taking office March 20).
Cameroon: Parliament votes an extension of its mandate to December 20.
Thailand: Anutin Charnvirakul is reelected prime minister, winning 293 votes, against 119 for Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut. On March 20 Anutin receives the royal command of appointment. On March 30 he submits his new cabinet (composition not yet revealed) to the king. The royal endorsement is gazetted on March 31 and shows Lt.Gen. Adul Boonthumjaroen as defense minister, other key ministers remaining in place.

22

France: Former prime minister (1997-2002) Lionel Jospin dies.
Germany: In state elections in Rheinland-Pfalz, the Christian Democratic Union wins 31.0% of the vote (39 of 105 seats), the Social Democratic Party 25.9% (32), the Alternative for Germany 19.5% (24), the Greens 7.9% (10), the Left 4.4% (0), the Free Voters 4.2% (0), and the Free Democratic Party 2.1% (0). Turnout is 68.5%.
Slovenia: In parliamentary elections, the Freedom Movement wins 28.6% of the vote (29 of 90 seats), the Slovenian Democratic Party 27.9% (28), New Slovenia-Slovenian People's Party-Focus of Marko Lotric 9.3% (9), the Social Democrats 6.7% (6), the Democrats of Anze Logar 6.7% (6), the Left and Vesna 5.6% (5), and Citizens' Movement Resni.ca 5.5% (5). Turnout is 69.4%.

23

Italy: Former president of Campania (1976-79) Gaspare Russo dies.
Laos: The National Assembly reelects Thongloun Sisoulith as president and Sonexay Siphandone as prime minister.

24

Denmark: In parliamentary elections, the Social Democrats win 21.8% of the vote (38 of 179 seats), the Socialist People's Party 11.6% (20), Venstre 10.1% (18), the Liberal Alliance 9.4% (16), the Danish People's Party 9.1% (16), the Moderates 7.7% (14), the Conservative People's Party 7.6% (13), the Unity List 6.3% (11), Radikale Venstre 5.8% (10), the Denmark Democrats 5.8% (10), the Alternative 2.6% (5), and the Citizens' Party 2.1% (4). Turnout is 84.0%. On March 25 Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen resigns but is tasked by the king with leading talks to form a new government.

26

Faeroe Islands: In parliamentary elections, the People's Party wins 26.7% of the vote (9 of 33 seats), the Union Party 21.5% (7), the Social Democratic Party 18.9% (6), Republic 17.4% (6), Progress 6.6% (2), the Centre Party 5.3% (2), and Self-Government 3.6% (1). Turnout is 89.5%. On March 28 Prime Minister Aksel V. Johannesen resigns.
Fiji: Former foreign minister (2007-08) and president (2009-15) Ratu Epeli Nailatikau dies.
Spain: In a cabinet reshuffle, Arcadi España is named finance minister.

27

Mongolia: Prime Minister Gombojav Zandanshatar resigns. Parliament accepts the resignation. On March 29 the Mongolian People's Party nominates Nyam-Osor Uchral for the post. He is elected by parliament (88-19) on March 30.

28

Algeria: Former president (1994-99) Liamine Zéroual dies.

29

Arab League: Nabil Fahmy (Egypt) is nominated as secretary-general, to take office July 1.

30

Georgia: The chairman of the Supreme Council of Ajaria, Davit Gabaidze, resigns.
Monaco: Frédéric Cottalorda is appointed finance minister, effective April 1.
Nigeria: Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar resigns.
Spain: Former foreign minister (1995-96) Carlos Westendorp (also international high representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina 1997-99) dies.
Suriname: Former president (2020-25) Chandrikapersad Santokhi dies.

31

Austria: The Landeshauptmann of Kärnten, Peter Kaiser, resigns. From April 1 until his successor is elected, Gaby Schaunig will be acting.
Myanmar: The lower house elects Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, and the upper house Nan Ni Ni Aye, as vice presidents; the military representatives of both houses choose Nyo Saw as the third vice president. The president will be chosen from among the three.
Paraguay: Finance Minister Carlos Fernández Valdovinos resigns. Juan José Galeano becomes acting minister.