List of Presidents of Micronesia: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Micronesia from 1979 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Micronesia, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Micronesia: Wesley Simina (in office since 2023). The Federated States of Micronesia is in free association with the United States. Its president is both head of state and head of government and is elected by Congress from among its four at-large senators for a four-year term. Jacob Nena served as acting president from November 1996 to May 1997 before being elected.

Presidents of Micronesia in order, with years in office

Tosiwo Nakayama

Served: 1979–1987

First president, elected in 1979 and re-elected in 1983; he led the country through its first years under the new constitution and died in 2007.

John Haglelgam

Served: 1987–1991

Elected by Congress in 1987 and served one four-year term until May 1991.

Bailey Olter

Served: 1991–1996

Elected in 1991 and re-elected in 1995; he left office on 8 November 1996.

Jacob Nena

Served: 1996–1999

Vice president who became acting president on 8 November 1996 and was elected president on 8 May 1997; he served until May 1999.

Leo Falcam

Served: 1999–2003

Elected by Congress in 1999 and served a single four-year term.

Joseph Urusemal

Served: 2003–2007

Elected in 2003 and served one term until May 2007.

Manny Mori

Served: 2007–2015

Elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2011; he served two terms until May 2015.

Peter M. Christian

Served: 2015–2019

Elected in 2015 and served one four-year term.

David Panuelo

Served: 2019–2023

Elected in 2019; in 2023 he wrote to other Pacific leaders warning about Chinese influence in the region, and his term ended in May 2023.

Wesley Simina

Served: 2023–present

Former governor of Chuuk and speaker of Congress; elected by Congress on 11 May 2023, and his four-year term runs to May 2027.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Micronesia

Who is the current president of Micronesia?

The current president of Micronesia is Wesley Simina, in office since 2023. The Federated States of Micronesia is in free association with the United States. Its president is both head of state and head of government and is elected by Congress from among its four at-large senators for a four-year term. Jacob Nena served as acting president from November 1996 to May 1997 before being elected.

Who were the previous presidents of Micronesia?

The presidents and heads of state of Micronesia listed on this page, in order, are: Tosiwo Nakayama, John Haglelgam, Bailey Olter, Jacob Nena, Leo Falcam, Joseph Urusemal, Manny Mori, Peter M. Christian, David Panuelo, Wesley Simina.

Who was the first president of Micronesia?

Tosiwo Nakayama was the first president of Micronesia, in office 1979–1987.

Sources: Wikipedia, President of the Federated States of Micronesia and Wesley Simina; FSM government and Pacific press reports confirming Wesley Simina in office through autumn 2026 (checked Nov 2026). Complete list of presidents since 1979.. Last reviewed November 2026.

Presidents of other Oceania countries

Presidents of Fiji · Presidents of Kiribati · Presidents of Marshall Islands · Presidents of Nauru · Presidents of Palau · Presidents of Samoa · Presidents of Vanuatu · All Oceania presidents · All countries A–Z