Presidents in Asia
Asia is the world’s largest and most populous continent, comprising of 48 countries and two special administrative regions. Several of these nations have a presidential system of government in place, in which the head of state is elected directly by the people or the parliament. These presidents may hold differing levels of power and influence, depending on their country’s political structure and constitutional provisions.
Afghanistan: President Ashraf Ghani
Ashraf Ghani has been the President of Afghanistan since 2014, after winning the elections against his rival Abdullah Abdullah. Ghani is a former academic and technocrat, who has also served in various high-level positions in the United Nations and the World Bank. As the head of the Afghan government, Ghani has been tasked with addressing the ongoing conflict with the Taliban and promoting stability and development in the country.
Bangladesh: President Abdul Hamid
Abdul Hamid has been the President of Bangladesh since 2013, after being elected by the parliament. Hamid has a long history of political activism, having served as a member of the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. As the President of Bangladesh, Hamid has played a key role in the country’s political and economic affairs, including the management of the COVID-19 crisis.
India: President Ram Nath Kovind
Ram Nath Kovind has been the President of India since 2017, after being elected by an electoral college consisting of members of both houses of parliament and state legislatures. Kovind is a lawyer and former governor of the state of Bihar, who has also held several positions in the Indian government. As the head of state, Kovind has performed ceremonial duties and represented India in international forums.
Indonesia: President Joko Widodo
Joko Widodo has been the President of Indonesia since 2014, after winning the elections against his rival Prabowo Subianto. Widodo is a former businessman and mayor of the city of Surakarta, who has championed economic reform and infrastructure development in Indonesia. As the head of the Indonesian government, Widodo has also taken steps to address corruption and social inequality in the country.
Kazakhstan: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has been the President of Kazakhstan since 2019, after being elected by popular vote. Tokayev is a diplomat and former prime minister of Kazakhstan, who has also served as the director-general of the United Nations Office at Geneva. As the head of state, Tokayev has focused on promoting economic growth and modernization in Kazakhstan, while also enhancing the country’s role in regional and global affairs.
Malaysia: President Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi served as the Prime Minister of Malaysia from 2003 to 2009, during which time he also held the title of President of the United Malays National Organization. Badawi was known for his moderate and reformist policies, including the introduction of an anti-corruption agency and the expansion of civil liberties. After retiring from politics, Badawi has continued to be involved in social and charitable causes.
Philippines: President Rodrigo Duterte
Rodrigo Duterte has been the President of the Philippines since 2016, after winning the elections by a wide margin. Duterte is known for his controversial policies, including a war on medicines that has been criticized for alleged human rights abuses. Despite his often confrontational approach, Duterte has also implemented economic reforms and infrastructure projects in the Philippines.
Singapore: President Halimah Yacob
Halimah Yacob has been the President of Singapore since 2017, after being elected by the parliament. Yacob is a former member of parliament and speaker of the house, who has also held various positions in the government and trade unions. As the head of state, Yacob has focused on promoting social cohesion and inclusivity in Singapore, while also representing the country in international forums.
South Korea: President Moon Jae-in
Moon Jae-in has been the President of South Korea since 2017, after winning the elections against his rival Hong Joon-pyo. Moon is a former human rights lawyer and government official, who has championed efforts to improve inter-Korean relations and promote peace on the Korean peninsula. As the head of state, Moon has also focused on economic reform and social welfare policies.
Taiwan: President Tsai Ing-wen
Tsai Ing-wen has been the President of Taiwan since 2016, after winning the elections by a significant margin. Tsai is a lawyer and former government official, who has advocated for Taiwan’s sovereignty and democratic values. As the head of the Taiwanese government, Tsai has faced challenges from China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, and has sought to strengthen Taiwan’s international standing.
Turkey: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been the President of Turkey since 2014, after previously serving as the country’s prime minister. Erdogan is a former mayor of Istanbul and leader of the Justice and Development Party, who has been credited with promoting economic growth and political stability in Turkey. However, Erdogan has also faced criticism for his authoritarian tendencies and crackdown on dissent.
Conclusion: Presidents in Asia
Overall, the role of the president varies greatly across Asia, with some presidents wielding significant power and influence, while others serving as more ceremonial figureheads. Despite these differences, the presidents of Asia all play an important role in shaping their respective countries’ political, economic, and social landscapes. As Asia continues to grow and develop, the role of the president is likely to become even more crucial in shaping the region’s future.