In modern history, who was the longest non-consecutive serving female head of government?
Sirimavo Bandaranaike was Prime Minister of Ceylon and Sri Lanka three times from 1960–65, 1970–77 and 1994–2000 serving almost 18 years combined. She was also the first female leader in modern history.
Indira Gandhi was Prime Minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and then again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984 serving just over 16 years combined.
Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 and resigned in 1990 serving almost 12 years.
Angela Merkel is Chancellor of Germany, which is a more powerful seat than Germany's Prime Minister, since November 2005 to present is serving 11 years...
More Info:
en.wikipedia.org
What are your thoughts on this subject?
76 Comments
Gery Tillmanns
The question says non consecutive.
Joseph A. Robitaille
Was i surprised getting question right. THE QUESTION WAS WELL WRITTEN AND IT SAID, "NON- CONSECUTIVE. aLL THE OTHER THREE SERVE WELL AND SOME STILL SERVING . i THOUGHT TH QUESTION AND ANSWERS WERE WELL PREPARED.
Kath Thomson
David Ching, the position Pearlette Louisy held was as Governor General which is a
representative role for a constitutional monarchy, and is not equivalent to being Prime Minister or head of state.
catmom
Raashid Khan, Me too.
JRW
jonbroberts, very dated with the information about Angela Merkel who has retired with about 16.5 years as Chancellor of Germany.
Date stamping would be appropriate for this and similar questions. I know others have made this same suggestion in the past.
Wyla Reedy
Informative. Excellent explanation of all the other options.
Angel il saggio
This answer should be updated as for Angela Merkel, who at present is serving nearly 16 years
dlh
I got it 👏
Barry Lasker
So many people just can’t read. Read the damn question carefully then answer. It would solve a lot of angst!!
Alice Milne
Just a comment on the answer: Germany does not have an office named Prime Minister at the federal parliamentary level. The individual state parliaments do have the office of "Premierminister" (prime minister). However, in the federal parliament, the office of "Chancellor" is equivalent to that of the prime minister in other national parliamentary democracies such as the UK's. The Chancellor is the head of government (executive) within in the Bundestag. The President acts as the head of state but the office is largely ceremonial.
There is a good description here, especially the graphic under "constitution"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Germany
Joyce Greenlees
B Fraser, the Queen is Head of State, not Head of Government. She has to remain impartial to politics, is not allowed to vote or stand for election.
Ian Paul Jenkins
New it wasn’t Thatcher , so it was a guess from the other Three 🤔 and I got lucky 🍀
Michael Doherty
Three famous, one unknown. Had to go with the unknown.
Leanna Greenbush
No clue.
David Ching
(while not one of the choices) The longest serving Head of State was Pearlette Louisy of Saint Lucia who served 20 years, 105 days.
Mary Oranchuk
Larry Hughes, the question says NON-consecutive.
Pat Wells
Larry Hughes, The question reads, "non-consecutive," which makes it correct as written.