List of Presidents of Palau: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Palau from 1981 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 Palau, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Palau: Surangel Whipps Jr. (in office since 2021). Palau is in free association with the United States and became independent on 1 October 1994. The president is both head of state and head of government and is elected directly for four years, with a limit of two consecutive terms. Whipps began a second term in January 2025.

Presidents of Palau in order, with years in office

Haruo Remeliik

Served: 1981–1985

First president of Palau, in office from 2 March 1981 until he was assassinated on 30 June 1985.

Thomas Remengesau Sr.

Served: 1985

Vice president who was acting president for two days, from 30 June to 2 July 1985.

Alfonso Oiterong

Served: 1985

Succeeded to the presidency on 2 July 1985 and served until Lazarus Salii took office on 25 October 1985.

Lazarus Salii

Served: 1985–1988

Elected in 1985 and died in office on 20 August 1988.

Thomas Remengesau Sr.

Served: 1988–1989

Vice president who became president on 20 August 1988 and served until 1 January 1989; he was the father-in-law of later president Surangel Whipps Jr.

Ngiratkel Etpison

Served: 1989–1993

Elected in 1988 and served one four-year term.

Kuniwo Nakamura

Served: 1993–2001

Elected in 1992 and re-elected in 1996, serving two terms.

Tommy Remengesau Jr.

Served: 2001–2009

Son of Thomas Remengesau Sr.; elected in 2000 and re-elected in 2004.

Johnson Toribiong

Served: 2009–2013

Elected in 2008 and served one term until January 2013.

Tommy Remengesau Jr.

Served: 2013–2021

Returned to office after winning the 2012 election and was re-elected in 2016.

Surangel Whipps Jr.

Served: 2021–present

Businessman and former senator; elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2024 over Remengesau, and chair of the Pacific Islands Forum in 2026.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Palau

Who is the current president of Palau?

The current president of Palau is Surangel Whipps Jr., in office since 2021. Palau is in free association with the United States and became independent on 1 October 1994. The president is both head of state and head of government and is elected directly for four years, with a limit of two consecutive terms. Whipps began a second term in January 2025.

Who were the previous presidents of Palau?

The presidents and heads of state of Palau listed on this page, in order, are: Haruo Remeliik, Thomas Remengesau Sr., Alfonso Oiterong, Lazarus Salii, Ngiratkel Etpison, Kuniwo Nakamura, Tommy Remengesau Jr., Johnson Toribiong, Surangel Whipps Jr..

Who was the first president of Palau?

Haruo Remeliik was the first president of Palau, in office 1981–1985.

Sources: Wikipedia, President of Palau and Thomas Remengesau Sr.; PINA, Islands Business, Taipei Times and Palau government reports confirming Surangel Whipps Jr. in office through October 2026 (checked Nov 2026). Complete list of presidents since the office began in 1981, including the acting president of 1985.. Last reviewed November 2026.

Presidents of other Oceania countries

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