President of Ethiopia

The president of Ethiopia is the head of state of Ethiopia. The position is largely ceremonial with executive power vested in the Council of Ministers chaired by the prime minister. The current president is Sahle-Work Zewde, who took office on 25 October 2018. Presidents are elected by the Federal Parliamentary Assembly for six years. History The role of head of state of Ethiopia had evolved and changed through the political transformation of Ethiopia. The emperor of Ethiopia was the head of state of Ethiopia prior the 1974 revolution. Following the 1974 military coup and abolishment of the monarchies of Ethiopia, the role of head of state was fulfilled by the chairman of the Provisional Military Government of Socialist Ethiopia as de facto president of Ethiopia. Provisional Military Government of Socialist Ethiopia (PMGSE) – (1974–1987) The chairman of the Provisional Military Government of Socialist Ethiopia was head of state and de facto president of Ethiopia. The first chairman of the Provisional Military Government was Lieutenant General Aman Andom, who was also Chief of General Staff of the Ethiopian Armed forces. People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (PDRE) – (1987–1991) The presidency was officially created by the 1987 Constitution, which established the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The president was elected to a five-year term by the National Shengo (legislature), with no term limits. The presidency was the chief executive of Ethiopia. The president was also the chairman of the Council of State, which presided as a legislator during the Shengo off session. The president had a chief executive power to rule by decree if necessary and was also the commander-in-chief of the Ethiopian Armed Forces. The only president under the 1987 Constitution was Mengistu Haile-Mariam from 1987 to 1991. Following the flight into exile of Mengistu Haile-Mariam, Tesfaye Gebre Kidan served as the acting president of Ethiopia for only six days.