🇸🇹 São Tomé and Príncipe
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Carlos Vila Nova
President · 1,841 days in office
How the political system works in São Tomé and Príncipe
Its president, Carlos Vila Nova, has led the country since Oct 2, 2021. São Tomé and Príncipe has had 8 presidents since 1975. Under the Regimes of the World classification, it counts as an electoral democracy.
Tenure records
Longest-serving
Manuel Pinto da Costa
7,541 days · 2 terms
Shortest-serving
Manuel Quintas de Almeida
6 days
Average tenure
1,688 days
Carlos Vila Nova: 9% above average
Female leaders
0 of 8
All male to date
Recent presidents by days in office
Is a leader's tenure getting longer or shorter in São Tomé and Príncipe?
Across 10 completed terms, the average president of São Tomé and Príncipe has served 1,688 days (about 4.6 years). That has stayed fairly steady: the last five completed terms averaged 1,467 days.
One completed term Average tenure per decade
All presidents of São Tomé and Príncipe
| # | Name | Took office | Left office | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 |  Carlos Vila Nova | Oct 2, 2021 | Incumbent | 1,841 |
| 10 |  Evaristo Carvalho | Sep 3, 2016 | Oct 2, 2021 | 1,855 |
| 9 |  Manuel Pinto da Costa | Sep 3, 2011 | Sep 3, 2016 | 1,827 |
| 8 |  Fradique de Menezes | Jul 23, 2003 | Sep 3, 2011 | 2,964 |
| 7 | Fernando Pereira | Jul 16, 2003 | Jul 23, 2003 | 7 |
| 6 | Fradique de Menezes | Sep 3, 2001 | Jul 16, 2003 | 681 |
| 5 |  Miguel Trovoada | Aug 21, 1995 | Sep 3, 2001 | 2,205 |
| 4 | Manuel Quintas de Almeida | Aug 15, 1995 | Aug 21, 1995 | 6 |
| 3 | Miguel Trovoada | Apr 3, 1991 | Aug 15, 1995 | 1,595 |
| 2 |  Leonel Mário d'Alva | Mar 4, 1991 | Apr 3, 1991 | 30 |
| 1 | Manuel Pinto da Costa | Jul 12, 1975 | Mar 4, 1991 | 5,714 |
Officeholder history via Wikidata. Multiple rows for one person indicate separate terms.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is the President of São Tomé and Príncipe?
- Carlos Vila Nova has been President of São Tomé and Príncipe since Oct 2, 2021.
- How is the leader of São Tomé and Príncipe chosen?
- Its president, Carlos Vila Nova, has led the country since Oct 2, 2021. São Tomé and Príncipe has had 8 presidents since 1975. Under the Regimes of the World classification, it counts as an electoral democracy.
- Who is the longest-serving President of São Tomé and Príncipe?
- Manuel Pinto da Costa, with 7,541 days in office across 2 terms.
- Are leaders serving longer or shorter terms in São Tomé and Príncipe?
- Across 10 completed terms, the average president of São Tomé and Príncipe has served 1,688 days (about 4.6 years). That has stayed fairly steady: the last five completed terms averaged 1,467 days.
- Has São Tomé and Príncipe ever had a female president?
- No. All 8 presidents of São Tomé and Príncipe to date have been men.