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A minister without portfolio is either a
government minister A minister is a politician who heads a ministry, making and implementing decisions on policies in conjunction with the other ministers. In some jurisdictions the head of government is also a minister and is designated the ‘prime minister’, � ...
with no specific responsibilities or a minister who does not head a particular
ministry Ministry may refer to: Government * Ministry (collective executive), the complete body of government ministers under the leadership of a prime minister * Ministry (government department), a department of a government Religion * Christian ...
. The
sinecure A sinecure ( or ; from the Latin , 'without', and , 'care') is an office, carrying a salary or otherwise generating income, that requires or involves little or no responsibility, labour, or active service. The term originated in the medieval chu ...
is particularly common in countries ruled by
coalition A coalition is a group formed when two or more people or groups temporarily work together to achieve a common goal. The term is most frequently used to denote a formation of power in political or economical spaces. Formation According to ''A Gui ...
governments and a
cabinet Cabinet or The Cabinet may refer to: Furniture * Cabinetry, a box-shaped piece of furniture with doors and/or drawers * Display cabinet, a piece of furniture with one or more transparent glass sheets or transparent polycarbonate sheets * Filing ...
with decision-making authority wherein a minister without portfolio, while they may not head any particular office or ministry, may still receive a ministerial salary and has the right to cast a vote in cabinet decisions.


Albania

In Albania, ''"Minister without portfolio"'' are considered members of the government who generally are not in charge of a special department, do not have headquarters or offices and usually do not have administration or staff. This post of was first introduced in 1918, during the Përmeti II government, otherwise known as the
Government of Durrës The Government of Durrës () was the 4th ruling government of Albania formed after the events at the Congress of Durrës from which it takes its name. The government was headed by Turhan Pashë Përmeti, for whom it was the second time in the po ...
. The members of this cabinet were referred to as ''Delegatë pa portofol'' (delegate without portfolio). The name "minister" was used two years later, during the
government A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a state. In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive, and judiciary. Government is a ...
of Sulejman Delvina. In the 1990s it was common the usage of the name ''Sekretar Shteti'' (Secretary of State) to refer to such a position. Mostly these roles were given to smaller allies by the leading parties. Nowadays the name ''Ministër i Shtetit'' (State Minister or Minister of State) is used.


Australia

Willie Kelly was given the title in the Cook Ministry from June 1913 to September 1914. Stanley Bruce was given the title of minister without portfolio when he took up his position in 1932 as the Commonwealth Minister in London. He was given the title by Lyons' Cabinet so that he could better represent the PM and his colleagues free from the limitations of a portfolio. In this case the title was a promotion and carried considerable responsibilities.


Bangladesh

Bangladesh appoints ministers without portfolio during cabinet reshuffles or fresh appointments. Ministers are not usually appointed without portfolio as a coalition negotiation – all long run ministers end up with a portfolio. Suranjit Sengupta was a minister without portfolio in Sheikh Hasina's second government.


Bulgaria

* Bozhidar Dimitrov (2009–2011)


Canada

While the minister without portfolio is seen by some as a mere
sinecure A sinecure ( or ; from the Latin , 'without', and , 'care') is an office, carrying a salary or otherwise generating income, that requires or involves little or no responsibility, labour, or active service. The term originated in the medieval chu ...
appointment, it has been a role that numerous political notables have played over time, including future Prime Minister
Jean Chrétien Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien (; born January 11, 1934) is a Canadian lawyer and politician who served as the 20th prime minister of Canada from 1993 to 2003. Born and raised in Shawinigan Falls, Quebec, Chrétien is a law graduate from Uni ...
, who filled the role in a
Pearson Pearson may refer to: Organizations Education *Lester B. Pearson College, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada *Pearson College (UK), London, owned by Pearson PLC *Lester B. Pearson High School (disambiguation) Companies *Pearson PLC, a UK-based int ...
cabinet in the 1960s; John Turner also "kept a seat warm" in a Pearson cabinet. Notable Conservatives who filled the role include
R. B. Bennett Richard Bedford Bennett, 1st Viscount Bennett, (July 3, 1870 – June 26, 1947), was a Canadian lawyer, businessman, philanthropist, and politician who served as the 11th prime minister of Canada from 1930 to 1935. Bennett was born in ...
, and
Arthur Meighen Arthur Meighen (; June 16, 1874 – August 5, 1960) was a Canadian lawyer and politician who served as the ninth prime minister of Canada from 1920 to 1921 and from June to September 1926. He led the Conservative Party from 1920 to 1926 and fro ...
; however, Meighen served this role after he had been prime minister. The title of minister without portfolio has been used off and on; in recent times, though, the title has fallen out of favour, and the penultimate minister without portfolio,
Gilles Lamontagne Joseph-Georges-Gilles-Claude Lamontagne (; April 17, 1919 – June 14, 2016) was a Canadian politician and the 24th Lieutenant Governor of Quebec. Early life He was born in Montreal. During World War II, Lamontagne served as a bomber pilot in ...
, was promoted to postmaster general in 1978. The practice has continued primarily under the guise of ministers of state without responsibilities in the ministers' titles. The position has also been filled on the federal or provincial level by experienced politicians near the end of their careers as a way of allowing them to counsel the government and take on projects without the burdens associated with administering a government department. In January 2021, Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau Justin Pierre James Trudeau ( , ; born December 25, 1971) is a Canadian politician who is the 23rd and current prime minister of Canada. He has served as the prime minister of Canada since 2015 and as the leader of the Liberal Party since 2 ...
appointed Jim Carr as a minister without portfolio, in addition to his role as special representative to the Prairies. Carr had previously served as a cabinet minister until November 2019, leaving as a consequence of his diagnosis with
multiple myeloma Multiple myeloma (MM), also known as plasma cell myeloma and simply myeloma, is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that normally produces antibodies. Often, no symptoms are noticed initially. As it progresses, bone pain, an ...
.


Croatia

*
Dragutin Kalogjera Dragutin (Cyrillic: Драгутин) is a masculine given name. Those bearing it include: * Stephen Dragutin of Serbia * Dragutin Topić * Dragutin Dimitrijević * Dragutin Mitić * Dragutin Tadijanović * Dragutin Šurbek * Dragutin Lerman * D ...
(1990) *
Zvonimir Medvedović Zvonimir is a Croatian male given name, used since the Middle Ages. During Yugoslavia, the name became popular in other ex-Yugoslav republics like Croatia and Slovenia.{{citation needed, date=February 2014 People named Zvonimir *Demetrius Zvon ...
(1990) *
Gojko Šušak Gojko Šušak (; 16 March 1945 – 3 May 1998) was a Croatian politician who held the post of Minister of Defence from 1991 to 1998 under President Franjo Tuđman. From 1990 to 1991 he was the Minister of Emigration and in 1991 the Deputy Ministe ...
(1990–1991) *
Zdravko Mršić Zdravko () is a masculine given name of South Slavic origin derived from word "zdrav" meaning "healthy". Notable people with the name include: *Zdravko Čolić, Bosnian singer *Zdravko Ježić, Croatian water polo player *Zdravko Kovačić, Croat ...
(1990–1991) * Dražen Budiša (1991–1992) *
Ivan Cesar Ivan Cesar (9 May 1936 – 26 November 1993) was a Croatian politician. In 1990 he was the founder and the leader of Croatian Christian Democratic Party (HKDS). In the 1992 presidential elections in Croatia he ran as a candidate, finishing 7th. ...
(1991–1992) * Ivica Crnić (1992) *
Darko Čargonja Darko is a common Slavic given name, and an Akan family name. People: * Darko (given name) * Darko (surname) Places: * Velké Dářko, a pond in the Czech Republic Movies: * ''Donnie Darko'', a 2001 film by Richard Kelly starring Jake Gyllenhaal ...
(1992) * Živko Juzbašić (1991–1992) *
Mladen Vedriš Mladen () is a South Slavic masculine given name, derived from the Slavic root ''mlad'' (, ), meaning "young". It is present in Bulgarian, Serbian, and Croatian society since the Middle Ages. Notable people with the name include: * Mladen (vojvo ...
(1992) *
Vladimir Veselica Vladimir Veselica (23 January 1938 – 11 December 2013) was a Croatian politician, economist and university professor born in Glavice near Sinj. He graduated and received PhD in economics from the Faculty of Economics, University of Zagreb in 197 ...
(1991) *
Muhamed Zulić Muhamed Zulić (5 July 1928 – 16 October 2008) was a Croatian politician. He was a representative in the Croatian Parliament in its second assembly. From July 31, 1991 to August 12, 1992 he served as a minister without portfolio in the Croati ...
(1991–1992) *
Zvonimir Baletić Zvonimir is a Croatian male given name, used since the Middle Ages. During Yugoslavia, the name became popular in other ex-Yugoslav republics like Croatia and Slovenia.{{citation needed, date=February 2014 People named Zvonimir *Demetrius Zvon ...
(1991–1992) *
Slavko Degoricija Slavko () is a Slavic masculine given name. Notable holders of the name include: Arts * Slavko Avsenik, Slovenian musician * Slavko Avsenik, Jr., Slovenian musician * Slavko Brankov, Croatian actor * Slavko Brill, Croatian Jewish sculptor * Slavko ...
(1991) *
Stjepan Zdunić Stjepan is a Croatian masculine given name, variant of Stephen, used by ijekavian speakers. In Croatia, the name Stjepan was among the top ten most common masculine given names in the decades up to 1969. Notable people with the name include: * St ...
(1991) * Čedomir Pavlović (1992–1993) * Smiljko Sokol (1992–1993) * Zlatko Mateša (1993–1995) – Prime Minister (1995–2000) * Juraj Njavro (1993–1997) *
Ivan Majdak Ivan () is a Slavic male given name, connected with the variant of the Greek name (English: John) from Hebrew meaning 'God is gracious'. It is associated worldwide with Slavic countries. The earliest person known to bear the name was Bulgari ...
(1993–1995) * Marijan Petrović (1995) *
Adalbert Rebić Adalbert is a German given name which means "noble bright" or "noble shining", derived from the words ''adal'' (meaning noble) and ''berht'' (shining or bright). Alternative spellings include Adelbart, Adelbert and Adalberto. Derivative names inclu ...
(1995) *
Davor Štern Davor Štern (born 18 June 1947 in Zagreb, Croatia) is a former Minister of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship in the Croatian Government, businessman and entrepreneur. Background and education Štern was born in Zagreb on 18 June 1947. His f ...
(1995) *
Branko Močibob Branko (Cyrillic script: Бранко; ) is a South Slavic male given name found in all of the former Yugoslavia. It is related to the names Branimir and Branislav, and the female equivalent is Branka. People named Branko include: * Branko Babić ...
(1995–1997) *
Gordana Sobol Gordana () is a Slavic female first name, mostly used in Slavic countries such as Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Name is derived from Proto-Slavic ''*gъrdъ'' (''gȏrd'') meaning proud. Notable ...
(2002–2003) *
Bianca Matković Bianca is a feminine given name. It means "white" and is an Italian cognate of Blanche. Variants * Blanche: French * Bianca: Italian * Bianka (Polish, Hungarian, Slovak, German, English, French, Icelandic, Finnish, Dutch, Norwegian, C ...
(2009–2011) * Goran Marić (2016)


Deputy Prime Ministers without portfolio

*
Bernardo Jurlina Bernardo is a given name and less frequently an Italian, Portuguese and Spanish surname. Possibly from the Germanic "Bernhard". Given name People * Bernardo the Japanese (died 1557), early Japanese Christian convert and disciple of Saint Fra ...
(1990–1991) *
Mate Babić Mate may refer to: Science * Mate, one of a pair of animals involved in: ** Mate choice, intersexual selection ** Mating * Multi-antimicrobial extrusion protein, or MATE, an efflux transporter family of proteins Person or title * Friendship ...
(1990) *
Milan Ramljak Milan ( , , Lombard: ; it, Milano ) is a city in northern Italy, capital of Lombardy, and the second-most populous city proper in Italy after Rome. The city proper has a population of about 1.4 million, while its metropolitan city has ...
(1990–1992) * Franjo Gregurić (1990–1991) – Prime Minister (1991–1992) *
Mate Granić Mate Granić (born 19 September 1947) is a Croatian diplomat and politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Government of Croatia from 1993 to 2000. Biography Granić was born in Baška Voda in Dalmatia (then PR Croatia, FPR Y ...
(1991–1993) – Minister of Foreign Affairs (1993–2000) *
Jurica Pavelić Jurica is a Croatian given name. Notable people with the name include: *Jurica Buljat (born 1986), Croatian football defender, currently playing for Maccabi Haifa *Jurica Golemac (born 1977), Slovenian professional basketball player *Jurica Grabu� ...
(1991–1992) *
Zdravko Tomac Zdravko Tomac (24 May 1937 – 4 January 2020) was a Croatian politician. A native of Slavonski Brod, Zdravko Tomac began his political career in the Communist Party of Yugoslavia. There he rose through the ranks, becoming a close associate of ...
(1991–1992) *
Ivan Milas Ivan Milas (18 October 1939 – 29 July 2011) was a Croatian lawyer and politician. Milas was born in the village of Zmijavci near Imotski in Zagora, and graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Zagreb. Milas was close to Mark ...
(1992–1993) * Vladimir Šeks (1992–1994) *
Mladen Vedriš Mladen () is a South Slavic masculine given name, derived from the Slavic root ''mlad'' (, ), meaning "young". It is present in Bulgarian, Serbian, and Croatian society since the Middle Ages. Notable people with the name include: * Mladen (vojvo ...
(1992–1993) *
Ivica Kostović Ivica Kostović (born 7 June 1943) is a Croatian politician and physician. He was born in Zagreb. After receiving a degree in medicine in 1967 at the University of Zagreb, he worked in the Institute for Anatomy Drago Perović at the School of Me ...
(1993–1995) * Bosiljko Mišetić (1995) *
Borislav Škegro Borislav or Boryslav (Cyrillic script: Борислав) is a Slavic male given name. People who have this name include: *Borislav Cvetković, a Croatian-born Serbian football manager and former player *Borislav Ivanov, a Bulgarian chess player ...
(1993–1997) * Ljerka Mintas Hodak (1995–1998) * Željka Antunović (2000–2002) *
Slavko Linić Slavko Linić (born 19 September 1949) is a Croatian politician and economist. He is a graduate of the Faculty of Economics on the University of Rijeka. From 1990 to 2000, he was the Mayor of Rijeka. From 2000 to 2003 he served as Deputy Prime Mi ...
(2000–2003) *
Goran Granić Goran Granić (born 18 April 1950) is a former Croatian centre-left politician who was the deputy prime minister from 2000 to 2002. Granić was born in Baška Voda. He graduated from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, Universi ...
(2000–2002) * Ante Simonić (2002–2003) *
Damir Polančec Damir Polančec (born 25 June 1967) is a Croatian politician who served as Ministry of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship (Croatia), Minister of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship from 2008 to 2009, and as Deputy Prime Minister of Croatia fro ...
(2005–2008) * Đurđa Adlešić (2008–2010) * Slobodan Uzelac (2008–2011) *
Domagoj Ivan Milošević Domagoj is a Croatian name of Slavic origin derived from the Slavic elements ''dom'' ("home") and ''goj'' ("grow, breed, foster, nurture"). Notable people with the name include: *Domagoj of Croatia, a duke (knez) of Dalmatian Croatia in 864–87 ...
(2010–2011) * Tomislav Karamarko (2016) * Božo Petrov (2016) – Speaker of Parliament (2016–2017) *
Boris Milošević Boris Milošević ( sr-Cyrl, Борис Милошевић, ; born 5 November 1974) is a Croatian lawyer and politician who served as Deputy Prime Minister of Croatia between 2020 and 2022. He is a member of the Independent Democratic Serb Party ...
(2020–2022) *
Anja Šimpraga Anja Šimpraga ( sr-Cyrl, Ања Шимпрага; born 23 July 1987) is a Croatian politician serving as a Deputy Prime Minister of Croatia and a minister without portfolio in charge of social affairs and human and minority rights since 29 April ...
(2022–present)


Denmark

Three "control ministers" served as ministers without portfolio during
World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
. After the
Liberation of Denmark At the outset of World War II in September 1939, Denmark declared itself neutral. For most of the war, the country was a protectorate and then an occupied territory of Germany. The decision to occupy Denmark was taken in Berlin on 17 December ...
in May 1945, the first Danish
cabinet Cabinet or The Cabinet may refer to: Furniture * Cabinetry, a box-shaped piece of furniture with doors and/or drawers * Display cabinet, a piece of furniture with one or more transparent glass sheets or transparent polycarbonate sheets * Filing ...
included four ministers without portfolio. Among these were Danish ambassador to the U.S. Henrik Kauffmann, who had conducted his own foreign policy throughout the war and refused to follow orders from Copenhagen as long as Denmark remained occupied by a foreign power. Kauffmann served in this capacity from 12 May to 7 November 1945. The three other holders of this title had joined the cabinet a few days before –
Aksel Larsen Aksel Larsen (5 August 1897 – 10 January 1972) was a Danish politician who was chairman of the Communist Party of Denmark (DKP) and chairman and founder of the Socialist People's Party. He is remembered today for his long service in the C ...
( Communist Party of Denmark),
Kr. Juul Christensen KR is the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 and WMO country code for South Korea. KR or Kr may also refer to: Sports * KR (basketball club), associated with Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur * Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur, an Icelandic football club * Kickoff ...
( Danish Unity) and Frode Jakobsen ( Social Democrats).
Lise Østergaard Anna Elisabeth "Lise" Østergaard (18 November 1924 – 19 March 1996) was a Danish psychologist and a politician in the Social Democrats (Denmark), social-democratic party. Under Anker Jørgensen's leadership, she was Minister without portfolio#D ...
held a position as minister without portfolio with special attention to foreign policy issues in Anker Jørgensen's cabinet from 26 February 1977 to 28 February 1980. Anders Fogh Rasmussen appointed Bertel Haarder as minister without portfolio, but effectively Minister for European Affairs. Haarder served in this capacity from 27 November 2001 to 18 February 2005. The reason for appointing a minister without a ministry was the Danish European Union Presidency of 2002. Haarder was considered the most experienced Danish politician on European affairs.


Estonia

* Jaan Tõnisson (1918) (provisional government) *
Karl Ast Karl Ast (pseudonym: Karl Rumor, 19 February 1886, Orava – 9 July 1971, New York City) was an Estonian writer and politician.Arvo Mägi, ''Estonian literature: an outline'', Baltic Humanitarian Association, 1968 Life Ast's older brother, G ...
(1924–1925) *
Juhan Kaarlimäe Juhan Kaarlimäe (also Johann Karlsberg; 21 November 1901 Vana-Vändra Parish (now Põhja-Pärnumaa Parish), Kreis Pernau – 5 February 1977 Raikküla Selsoviet, Rapla District) was an Estonian politician. He was a member of V Riigikogu V Riigi ...
(1944) *
Johannes Sikkar Johannes Sikkar (October 15, 1897 – August 22, 1960) was the first head of the Estonian government in exile as Acting Prime Minister (January 12, 1953 – January 1, 1962). Biography Sikkar was born in Kõnnu, Tartu County. Sikkar served in t ...
(1952–1953) (
in exile In Exile may refer to: Film and television * ''In Exile'' (film) or ''Time Runner'', a 1993 science fiction film * ''In Exile'' (TV series), a 1998 UK sitcom Literature * "In Exile" (short story), an 1892 short story by Anton Chekhov *''In Exile'' ...
) * Artur Terras (1952–1953) (in exile) *
Aksel Mark Aksel Mark (20 June 1913 – 17 June 2014) was an Estonian politician, chairman of the Estonian Democratic Union, journalist, newspaper editor and agronomist. Mark was the Estonian Minister of the Interior in exile between 1962 and 1992. Mark w ...
(1956–1962) (in exile) *
Arvo Horm Arvo is a Finnish and Estonian given name for males and may refer to: *Arvo Aalto (born 1932), Finnish politician *Arvo Aaltonen (1892–1949), Finnish swimmer and Olympic medalist *Arvo Aller (born 1973), Estonian politician *Arvo Andresson (195 ...
(1956–1964) (in exile) *
Peeter Panksep Peeter is a masculine given name, a cognate of the name Peter. It exists in Estonian, Flemish and Dutch languages. The Flemish/Dutch name may also be written as Pieter and occasionally translated as Peter. Notable people with the given name incl ...
(1956–1964) (in exile) *
Eduard Leetmaa Eduard Model Accessories is a Czech manufacturer of plastic models and finescale model accessories. Formed in 1989 in the city of Most, Eduard began in a rented cellar as a manufacturer of photoetched brass model components. Following the succ ...
(1959–1962) (in exile; appointed, but did not enter office) *
Ivar Grünthal Ivar Grünthal (8 April 1924 – 14 February 1996) was an Estonian writer. His parents were lawyers Vera Poska-Grünthal and Timotheus Grünthal. His grandfather was statesman Jaan Poska. From 1932 to 1941 he studied at Hugo Treffner Gymnasium ...
(1962–1964) (in exile) *
Renate Kaasik Renatus is a first name of Latin origin which means "born again" (natus = born). In Italian, Portuguese and Spanish it exists in masculine and feminine forms: Renato and Renata. In French they have been translated to René and Renée. Renata is a ...
(1971–1990) (in exile) *
Verner Hans Puurand Verner Hans Puurand (until 1938 Puurmann; 14 September 1904 – 12 June 1983) was an Estonian Naval officer and politician. From 1973 to 1977 he was a minister of Estonian government-in-exile. He was born in Narva. In 1928 he graduated from Tondi m ...
(1973–1977) (in exile) *
Jaan Timusk Jaan may refer to: *Jaan (given name) * ''Jaan'' (album), an Indian pop album by Sonu Nigam * ''Jaan'' (film), a 1996 Bollywood action film directed by Raj Kanwar *Gauhar Jaan (1873–1930), Indian singer and dancer *"Jaan Atki Muhammad Mumith ...
(1973–1990) (in exile) *
Ants Pallop Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from vespoid wasp ancestors in the Cretaceous period. More than 13,800 of an estimated total of 22,0 ...
(1973–1992) (in exile) *
Arvo Horm Arvo is a Finnish and Estonian given name for males and may refer to: *Arvo Aalto (born 1932), Finnish politician *Arvo Aaltonen (1892–1949), Finnish swimmer and Olympic medalist *Arvo Aller (born 1973), Estonian politician *Arvo Andresson (195 ...
(1977–1992) (in exile) *
Ivar Paljak Ivar (Old Norse ''Ívarr'') is a Scandinavian masculine given name. Another variant of the name is Iver, which is more common in Norway. The Old Norse name has several possible etymologies. In North Germanic phonology, several of the elements c ...
(1985–1990) (in exile) * Olev Olesk (1986–1990) (in exile) *
Endel Lippmaa Endel Lippmaa (15 September 1930 – 30 July 2015) was an Estonian academic, politician, founder and chairman of the Science Council of the National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics best known for his work in uncovering crucial doc ...
(1990–1991) (interim government) *Artur Kuznetsov (1990–1991) (interim government) *
Klara Hallik Klara Hallik (born 24 April 1933 in Leningrad Oblast) is an Estonia Estonia, formally the Republic of Estonia, is a country by the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, t ...
(1992) (interim government) *
Arvo Niitenberg Arvo Niitenberg (27 September 1934 Tallinn – 16 July 2003) is an Estonia Estonia, formally the Republic of Estonia, is a country by the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finl ...
(1992) (interim government) *
Jüri Luik Jüri Luik (born 17 August 1966 in Tallinn) is an Estonian diplomat and politician who served as the Minister of Defence in the government of Prime Minister Jüri Ratas. In addition, he chaired the EPP Defense Ministers Meeting, which gathers th ...
(1992–1993) *
Peeter Olesk Peeter Olesk may refer to: * Peeter Olesk (politician) (1953–2021), Estonian literary scholar and politician * Peeter Olesk (sport shooter) Peeter Olesk (born 22 April 1993, in Põlva) is an Estonia Estonia, formally the Republic of E ...
(1993–1994) *
Eiki Nestor Eiki Nestor (born 5 September 1953 in Tallinn) is an Estonian politician, member of the Social Democratic Party. He was the leader of the party from 1994 to 1996. Nestor has been a member of the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Parliament of Es ...
(1994–1995) *
Arvo Niitenberg Arvo Niitenberg (27 September 1934 Tallinn – 16 July 2003) is an Estonia Estonia, formally the Republic of Estonia, is a country by the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finl ...
(1994–1995) *
Ants Leemets Ants Leemets (23 June 1950 – 23 November 2019) was an Estonian politician and museum director who served as Minister without Portfolio and later as Deputy Mayor of Tallinn. Leemets was born in Rakvere and graduated in 1968 from Rakvere 1st Se ...
(1995) *
Jaak Allik Jaak Allik (born 6 October 1946) is an Estonian theatre critic, theatre director and politician. He is a member of the Social Democratic Party, and was previously the Estonian Minister of Culture 1995–1999 ( et, Eesti kultuuriminister). He wa ...
(1995–1996) *
Endel Lippmaa Endel Lippmaa (15 September 1930 – 30 July 2015) was an Estonian academic, politician, founder and chairman of the Science Council of the National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics best known for his work in uncovering crucial doc ...
(1995–1996) *
Tiit Kubri Tiit Kubri (born 12 July 1955 in Tartu) is an Estonian politician. From 1995 to 1997, he was Minister without portfolio A minister without portfolio is either a government minister with no specific responsibilities or a minister who does not head ...
(1995–1997) *
Riivo Sinijärv Riivo Sinijärv (born 27 May 1947 in Tallinn) is an Estonian politician and a former Minister of Foreign Affairs. Sinijärv is the father of poet and journalist Karl Martin Sinijärv Karl Martin Sinijärv (born 4 June 1971) is an Estonian jou ...
(1996) *
Andra Veidemann Andra Veidemann (née Andra Eesmaa; born 18 July 1955 Tallinn) is an Estonian historian-ethnologist, editor, diplomat, and politician. She was a member of VII Riigikogu VII Riigikogu was the seventh legislature of Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu ...
(1996–1999) *
Peep Aru Peep Aru (born on 20 April 1953 in Abja-Paluoja) is an Estonian politician. He has been member of X, XI and XII Riigikogu and is the former Minister of Regional Affairs of Estonia. Aru has been the Deputy Mayor of Viljandi from 1993 until 1996, ...
(1997–1999) *
Katrin Saks Katrin Saks (born 29 November 1956 in Tallinn) is an Estonian politician and journalist. From 1999 to 2002, she was Minister of Population Affairs in the cabinet of Mart Laar. She was the vice-chairwoman of the Social Democratic Party from 2005 to ...
(1999–2003) *
Toivo Asmer Toivo Asmer (born 8 January 1947 in Oisu, Järva County, Estonia) is an Estonian entrepreneur, former racing driver, motorsports promoter, musician and politician. From 1999 until 2003, he was Minister of Regional Affairs of the Republic of Eston ...
(1999–2003) *
Eldar Efendijev Eldar Efendijev (Azerbaijani language, Azerbaijani: Eldar Əfəndiyev; born 29 June 1954, Tallinn) is an Estonian politician of Azerbaijani descent who was the minister of Population and Ethnic Affairs from 2002 to 2003 and who represented the Est ...
(2002–2003) *
Paul-Eerik Rummo Paul-Eerik Rummo (born January 19, 1942) is an Estonian poet, playwright, translator and politician who was the former Estonian Minister of Culture and Education, as well as the former Estonian Minister of Population Affairs. Rummo was born in T ...
(2003–2007) *
Jaan Õunapuu Jaan Õunapuu (born 13 September 1958 in Mustjala) is an Estonian politician. From 1993 until 2003, he was the governor Tartu County. In 2003, he became the Estonian Minister of Regional Affairs; a position he held until 2007. He has been member o ...
(2003–2007) *
Urve Palo Urve Palo (born 10 July 1972) is an Estonian economist and politician, a member of the Social Democratic Party. Palo was born in Haapsalu. From April 2007 until May 2009, she served as Estonian Minister of Population and Ethnic Affairs. She also ...
(2007–2009) *
Urmas Kruuse Urmas Kruuse (born 14 July 1965) is an Estonian politician who has been the Minister of Rural Affairs since 2021. From 2014 to 2015, he was the Minister of Health and Labour. He is member of the Estonian Reform Party. Early life Ummi graduate ...
(2014) *
Anne Sulling Anne Sulling (born 12 October 1976 in Tartu) is an Estonian politician and a member of Riigikogu. She represents the Tartu constituency as a member of the Estonian Reform Party. Between 2005 and 2006, Sullin worked for the Ministry of Finance ...
(2014)


Finland

Minister without portfolio is not a common type of cabinet position, and the last minister without portfolio served in 1949. The most famous one was Juho Kusti Paasikivi, who was a part of the "Triumvirate" of Prime Minister Risto Ryti, Minister of Foreign Affairs Väinö Tanner and Paasikivi during the Winter War and the year 1940.
Mikko Luopajärvi Mikko Luopajärvi (15 November 1871 – 5 January 1920) was a Finnish farmer and politician, born in Jalasjärvi. He was a member of the Parliament of Finland The Parliament of Finland ( ; ) is the unicameral and supreme legislature of ...
(Agrarian Union) 17.4.1919 – 15.8.1919( Kaarlo Castren Cabinet), 15.8.1919 – 5.1.1920 (
Vennola I Cabinet Juho Vennola's first cabinet was the fifth Government of Republic of Finland. The cabinet's time period was August 15, 1919 – March 15, 1920. It was a minority government A minority government, minority cabinet, minority administration, or ...
) Kalle Aukusti Lohi (Agrarian Union) 31.3.1925 – 31.12.1925 (
Tulenheimo Cabinet Antti Tulenheimo's cabinet was the Government of Finland Finland ( fi, Suomi ; sv, Finland ), officially the Republic of Finland (; ), is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway ...
)
Matti Paasivuori Matti Paasivuori (6 May 1866, Ilmajoki - 16 June 1937 in Helsinki) was a Finnish politician from the Social Democratic Party. Paasivuori was the Chairman of the Social Democratic Party on three occasions: 1909–1911, 1913–1917 and 1926–193 ...
(Social Democratic Party) 13.12.1926 – 15.11.1927 ( Tanner Cabinet) Kalle Jutila (Agrarian Union) 17.12.1927 – 16.10.1928 (
Sunila I Cabinet Juho Sunila's first cabinet was the 15th government of Republic of Finland. Cabinet's time period was from December 17, 1927 to December 22, 1928. It was a minority government A minority government, minority cabinet, minority administration, or ...
)
Juhani Leppälä Johan (Juhani) Fredrik Leppälä (10 May 1880 – 15 December 1976; surname until 1906 ''Lindeqvist'') was a Finnish schoolteacher, farmer and politician. Born in Nummi, he was a member of the Parliament of Finland The Parliament of Fi ...
(Agrarian Union) 16.8.1929 – 27.8.1929 (
Kallio III Cabinet Kyösti Kallio's third cabinet was the 17th government of Republic of Finland. Cabinet's time period was from 16 August 1929 to 4 July 1930. It was Majority government only formed by the Agrarian League. {{DEFAULTSORT:Kyosti Kallio's t ...
)
Eljas Erkko Juho Eljas Erkko (1 June 1895 in Helsinki – 20 February 1965 in Helsinki) was a Finnish politician and journalist. He was a foreign minister and negotiated with the Soviet Union before the Winter War started. Erkko's father was politician an ...
(Progressive Party) 20.10.1932 – 25.11.1932 (
Sunila II Cabinet Juho Sunila's second cabinet was the 19th government of Republic of Finland. Cabinet's time period was from March 21, 1931–December 14, 1932. It was majority government A majority government is a government by one or more governing parties tha ...
)
Ernst von Born Baron Ernst Viktor Lorenz von Born (24 August 1885, Pernå - 7 July 1956) was a Finnish lawyer, farmer and politician. He served as Minister of the Interior from March 1931 to December 1932 and from December 1939 to May 1941, Minister without Por ...
(Swedish People's Party) 13.10.1939 – 1.12.1939 ( Cajander III Cabinet) Juho Kusti Paasikivi (Unaffiliated/No party) 1.12.1939 – 27.3.1940 ( Ryti I Cabinet) Mauno Pekkala (Social Democratic Party) 17.11.1944 – 24.11.1944 (
Paasikivi II Cabinet Juho Kusti Paasikivi's cabinet was the 29th government of Republic of Finland. Cabinet's time period was from November 17, 1944 to April 17, 1945 . It was a majority government. Paasikivi's second cabinet's main tasks where to create jobs for ex-s ...
)
Hertta Kuusinen Hertta Elina Kuusinen (14 February 1904 – 18 March 1974) was a Finnish Communist politician. She was a member of the central committee (1944–1971) and the political bureau of the Communist Party of Finland; member of Finland's parliament, t ...
(Finnish People's Democratic Party) 26.5.1948 – 4.6.1948 (
Pekkala Cabinet Mauno Pekkala's cabinet was the 31st government of the Republic of Finland. The cabinet's time period was from March 26, 1946, to August 29, 1948. It was Majority government. Pekkala's cabinet did many major reforms including the child benefit C ...
)
Aleksi Aaltonen Aleksi is a masculine Finnish given name. Notable people with the name include: *Aleksi Bardy *Aleksi Benashvili *Aleksi Eeben *Aleksi Elorinne *Aleksi Hihnavaara *Aleksi Holmberg *Aleksi Laakso *Alexi Laiho *Aleksi Lehtonen *Aleksi Mäkelä ...
(Social Democratic Party) 29.7.1948 – 30.7.1948 (
Fagerholm I Cabinet Fagerholm's first cabinet was the 32nd government of Finland, which lasted from 29 August 1948 to 17 March 1950. It was a minority government headed by Social Democratic Prime Minister Karl-August Fagerholm. Fagerholm’s first cabinet was the fi ...
)
Unto Varjonen Unto Uuno Mikael Varjonen (22 August 1916, Turku – 11 February 1954 Washington D.C. United States) was a Finnish Finnish may refer to: * Something or someone from, or related to Finland * Culture of Finland * Finnish people or Finns, the primary ...
(Social Democratic Party) 29.7.1949 – 19.8.1949 (
Fagerholm I Cabinet Fagerholm's first cabinet was the 32nd government of Finland, which lasted from 29 August 1948 to 17 March 1950. It was a minority government headed by Social Democratic Prime Minister Karl-August Fagerholm. Fagerholm’s first cabinet was the fi ...
)


Germany

* Hermann Göring (1933) *
Ernst Röhm Ernst Julius Günther Röhm (; 28 November 1887 – 1 July 1934) was a German military officer and an early member of the Nazi Party. As one of the members of its predecessor, the German Workers' Party, he was a close friend and early ally ...
(1933) *
Rudolf Hess Rudolf Walter Richard Hess (Heß in German; 26 April 1894 – 17 August 1987) was a German politician and a leading member of the Nazi Party in Nazi Germany. Appointed Deputy Führer to Adolf Hitler in 1933, Hess held that position unt ...
(1933–1941) * Arthur Seyss-Inquart (1939–1945) * Hjalmar Schacht (1939–1943) *
Martin Bormann Martin Ludwig Bormann (17 June 1900 – 2 May 1945) was a German Nazi Party official and head of the Nazi Party Chancellery. He gained immense power by using his position as Adolf Hitler's private secretary to control the flow of information ...
(1941–1945) Since 1949, a Federal Minister for Special Affairs (''Bundesminister für besondere Aufgaben'') is a member of the
Federal Government A federation (also known as a federal state) is a political entity characterized by a union of partially self-governing provinces, states, or other regions under a central federal government (federalism). In a federation, the self-governin ...
that does not have charge of a Federal Ministry, although the ministry is now commonly assigned to the Heads of the German Chancellery to give this important government functionary cabinet-rank. The ministry was first created in October 1953 to give a ministry level position to
Franz Josef Strauss Franz Josef Strauss ( ; 6 September 1915 – 3 October 1988) was a German politician. He was the long-time chairman of the Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU) from 1961 until 1988, member of the federal cabinet in different positions between ...
, but has been used almost exclusively for the Head of the Federal Chancellery since the 1960s. A notable exception occurred in the course of
German reunification German reunification (german: link=no, Deutsche Wiedervereinigung) was the process of re-establishing Germany as a united and fully sovereign state, which took place between 2 May 1989 and 15 March 1991. The day of 3 October 1990 when the Ge ...
when four members of East Germany's last government were made "Minister for Special Affairs" from October 3, 1990, to January 1991.


Greece

The position of a Minister without portfolio was first created in 1918, with
Emmanouil Repoulis Emmanouil Repoulis ( el, Εμμανουήλ Ρέπουλης, 1863 - 24 May 1924) was a Greek journalist and Member of Parliament. He was elected three times: 1899 , 1905 (both with the party of Georgios Theotokis ), 1923 (with the Liberal Party) ...
being the first Minister without portfolio. Previously, the term had been used to describe Prime Ministers who had not undertaken any secondary Ministerial position (e.g.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs In many countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the government department responsible for the state's diplomacy, bilateral, and multilateral relations affairs as well as for providing support for a country's citizens who are abroad. The entit ...
). Prominent politicians like
Georgios Papandreou Georgios Papandreou ( ''Geórgios Papandréou''; 13 February 1888 – 1 November 1968) was a Greek politician, the founder of the Papandreou political dynasty. He served three terms as prime minister of Greece (1944–1945, 1963, 1964–196 ...
, Panagiotis Kanellopoulos, Napoleon Zervas and Spyros Markezinis served as Ministers without portfolio during their career, while novelist
Nikos Kazantzakis Nikos Kazantzakis ( el, ; 2 March ( OS 18 February) 188326 October 1957) was a Greek writer. Widely considered a giant of modern Greek literature, he was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in nine different years. Kazantzakis's no ...
had a brief, 46-day-long tenure as Minister without portfolio in Sofoulis' 1945 cabinet. In 1991, the position was renamed to
Minister of State Minister of State is a title borne by politicians in certain countries governed under a parliamentary system. In some countries a Minister of State is a Junior Minister of government, who is assigned to assist a specific Cabinet Minister. In o ...
; the last person to be designated Minister without portfolio and simultaneously the first Minister of State, is Mikis Theodorakis.


Hungary

* Zsolt Semjén (2010–present) * Tamás Fellegi (2011–2012)


India

* C. Rajagopalachari , N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar and
V.K. Krishna Menon Vengalil Krishnan Krishna Menon (3 May 1896 – 6 October 1974) was an Indian academic, politician, and non-career diplomat. He was described by some as the second most powerful man in India, after the first Prime Minister of India, Jawa ...
1st Nehru government *
T.T. Krishnamachari Tiruvellore Thattai Krishnamachari (1899–1974) was an Indian politician who served as Finance Minister from 1956 to 1958 and from 1964 to 1966. He was also a founding member of the first governing body of the National Council of Applied Econo ...
and
Lal Bahadur Shastri Lal Bahadur Shastri (; 2 October 1904 – 11 January 1966) was an Indian politician and statesman who served as the 2nd Prime Minister of India from 1964 to 1966 and 6th Home Minister of India from 1961 to 1963. He promoted the White Re ...
- 2nd Nehru Government *
Mamata Banerjee Mamata Banerjee (; born 5 January 1955) is an Indian politician who is serving as the eighth and current List of chief ministers of West Bengal, chief minister of the States and union territories of India, Indian state of West Bengal since 20 ...
and
Murasoli Maran Murasoli Maran (17 August 1934 – 23 November 2003) was an Indian politician and an important leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party which was headed by his maternal uncle and mentor, M. Karunanidhi. A Member of Parliament for ...
3rd Vajpayee government *
K. Chandrasekhar Rao Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao (born 17 February 1954), often referred to by his initials KCR, is an Indian politician serving as the first and current Chief Minister of Telangana, Chief Minister of Telangana since 2 June 2014. He is the founder ...
and
Natwar Singh Kunwar Natwar Singh, IFS (born 16 May 1931) is an Indian diplomat and politician who served as the Minister of External Affairs from May 2004 to December 2005. Singh was selected into the Indian Foreign Service, one of the most competitive an ...
1st Manmohan Singh government *
Arun Jaitley Arun Jaitley (28 December 1952 – 24 August 2019) was an Indian politician and attorney. A member of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Jaitley served as the Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs of the Government of India from 2014 to 2019. Jait ...
1st Modi government


Indonesia

Since the inception of the state, Indonesia had ministers without portfolio, usually given the title ''Menteri Negara'' ('State Minister'). The number was not fixed, entirely depended on the behest of the President. Below is the list of ministers without portfolio in each Cabinet.


Presidential Cabinet (19 August – 14 November 1945)

* Mohammad Amir * Sartono * Alexander Andries Maramis *
Oto Iskandar di Nata Oto Iskandar di Nata (Sundanese: , also spelled Otto Iskandardinata, called Otista and nicknamed Si Jalak Harupat; born 31 March 1897 – disappeared 19 December 1945, retrospectively declared dead 20 December 1945) was an Indonesian politician a ...


First Sjahrir Cabinet The first Sjahrir Cabinet ( id, Kabinet Sjahrir Pertama) was the second Indonesian cabinet, named after the Prime Minister. It served from November 1945 to February 1946. Background The first Sjahrir cabinet was established following the 11 No ...
(11 November 1945 – 28 February 1946)

* Rasjidi (on religious affairs)


Third Sjahrir Cabinet (5 October 1946 – 27 July 1947)

*
Hamengkubuwono IX Hamengkubuwono IX or HB IX (12 April 1912 – 2 October 1988) was an Indonesian statesman and royal who was the second vice president of Indonesia, the ninth sultan of Yogyakarta, and the first governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Hamen ...
* Wahid Hasyim * Wikana (on youth affairs) * Soedarsono * Tan Po Gwan * Danoedirdja Setiaboedi


Sixth Development Cabinet (6 June – 1 October 1997)

The cabinet was unique, with President
Suharto Suharto (; ; 8 June 1921 – 27 January 2008) was an Indonesian army officer and politician, who served as the second and the longest serving president of Indonesia. Widely regarded as a military dictator by international observers, Suharto ...
moved the Minister of Information Harmoko to the office of State Minister of Special Affairs ( id, Menteri Negara Urusan Khusus) on 6 June 1997. The Ministry of Special Affairs was dissolved on 1 October 1997, following the inauguration of next-term's
parliament In modern politics, and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: Representation (politics), representing the Election#Suffrage, electorate, making laws, and overseeing ...
and the appointment of Harmoko as its speaker.


Ireland

The Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1939 allows a Minister to be a member of the
Government of Ireland The Government of Ireland ( ga, Rialtas na hÉireann) is the cabinet that exercises executive authority in Ireland. The Constitution of Ireland vests executive authority in a government which is headed by the , the head of government. The governm ...
who does not have charge of a
Department of State The United States Department of State (DOS), or State Department, is an executive department of the U.S. federal government responsible for the country's foreign policy and relations. Equivalent to the ministry of foreign affairs of other nati ...
, such a person to be known as a "Minister without portfolio". Such a minister may be given a specific style or title. The only substantive minister without portfolio has been
Frank Aiken Francis Thomas Aiken (13 February 1898 – 18 May 1983) was an Irish revolutionary and politician. He was chief of staff of the Anti-Treaty IRA at the end of the Irish Civil War. Aiken later served as Tánaiste from 1965 to 1969 and Minister fo ...
, the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defensive Measures during
World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
. By the Emergency Powers Act 1939 then in force, the
Minister for Defence {{unsourced, date=February 2021 A ministry of defence or defense (see spelling differences), also known as a department of defence or defense, is an often-used name for the part of a government responsible for matters of defence, found in states ...
was able to delegate some competences to him. On a number of occasions a minister has been appointed to an incoming government with the title of a new
Department of State The United States Department of State (DOS), or State Department, is an executive department of the U.S. federal government responsible for the country's foreign policy and relations. Equivalent to the ministry of foreign affairs of other nati ...
. Between the date of appointment and the date of creation of the department, such a minister is formally a minister without portfolio. When
Helen McEntee Helen McEntee (born 8 June 1986) is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has served as Minister for Justice from June 2020 to November 2022. From April to November 2021, she became a minister without portfolio during a period of maternity leave. S ...
took six months' maternity leave on 28 April 2021, her portfolio as
Minister for Justice A Ministry of Justice is a common type of government department that serves as a justice ministry. Lists of current ministries of justice Named "Ministry" * Ministry of Justice (Abkhazia) * Ministry of Justice (Afghanistan) * Ministry of Just ...
was reassigned to
Heather Humphreys Heather Humphreys (born 14 May 1963) is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has served as Minister for Rural and Community Development and Minister for Social Protection since June 2020. She also briefly served as Minister for Justice in November ...
, in addition to Humphreys's existing portfolio as Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development. McEntee remained a member of the coalition government as minister without portfolio, and was reassigned to the Department of Justice on 1 November 2021. On 25 November 2022, Heather Humphreys was again appointed as Minister for Justice to facilitate a second period of six months' maternity leave from December.


Israel

It is common practice in Israel to appoint ministers without portfolio as part of the coalition negotiations, as it allows small coalition partners a seat at the cabinet table. All cabinets in recent years have had at least some such appointment. The Governance Law passed in 2013 forbade ministers without portfolio effectively ending the practice, however in spite of some objections, after the 2015 elections this issue was revisited in the Knesset and it was allowed for the practice to resume. The full alphabetical list of ministers without portfolio since 1949 is: *
Ofir Akunis Ofir Akunis ( he, אוֹפִיר אָקוּנִיס, born 28 May 1973) is an Israeli politician. He currently serves as a member of the Knesset for Likud and is the Minister of Science and Technology. He has previously held the posts of Mini ...
(2015) *
Yosef Almogi Yosef Aharon Almogi ( he, יוסף אהרון אלמוגי, May 5, 1910 – November 2, 1991) was an Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset between 1955 and 1977, as well as holding several ministerial posts. Biography Born Jo ...
(1961–62) * Shulamit Aloni (1974, 1993) * Yehuda Amital (1995–96) *
Shaul Amor Shaul Amor ( he, שאול עמור, 21 December 1940 – 2 October 2004) was an Israeli politician who served as a Minister without Portfolio between January and July 1999. Biography Born in Boujad, Morocco in 1940, Amor made aliyah in 1956. ...
(1999) * Zalman Aran (1954–55) * Moshe Arens (1984–86, 1987–88) * Eli Avidar (2021-) *
Ruhama Avraham Ruhama Avraham Balila ( he, רוחמה אברהם בלילא, born 29 January 1964) is an Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset for Likud and Kadima between 2003 and 2013. She also held the positions of Deputy minister of i ...
(2007–08) * Ami Ayalon (2007–08) *
Yisrael Barzilai Yisrael Barzilai ( he, ישראל ברזילי, born Yisrael Eisenberg on 1 October 1913, died 12 June 1970) was an Israeli politician who served as a government minister during the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s. Life and career Born in Nieszawa ...
(1969–70) *
Benny Begin Ze'ev Binyamin "Benny" Begin, (; born 1 March 1943) is an Israeli geologist and politician. He was a member of the Knesset for New Hope, having previously served as a member for Likud and Herut – The National Movement. He is the son of former ...
(2009–13, 2015) *
Menachem Begin Menachem Begin ( ''Menaḥem Begin'' (); pl, Menachem Begin (Polish documents, 1931–1937); ''Menakhem Volfovich Begin''; 16 August 1913 – 9 March 1992) was an Israeli politician, founder of Likud and the sixth Prime Minister of Israel. B ...
(1967–70) *
Mordechai Ben-Porat Mordechai Ben-Porat ( he, מרדכי בן-פורת ar, مردخاي بن بورات; 12 September 1923 – 3 January 2022) was an Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset in two spells between 1965 until 1984, and as Minister w ...
(1982–84) *
Yosef Burg Shlomo Yosef Burg ( he, שלמה יוסף בורג, 31 January 1909 – 15 October 1999) was a German-born Israeli politician. In 1949, he was elected to the first Knesset, and served in many ministerial positions for the next 40 years. He was on ...
(1984) *
Eitan Cabel Eitan Cabel ( he, איתן כבל; born 23 August 1959) is an Israeli politician who represented the Israeli Labor Party in the Knesset from 1996 to 2019. Biography Eitan Cabel was born in Rosh HaAyin. After serving in the Israeli Defense Force, ...
(2006–07) * Ra'anan Cohen (2001–02) * Yitzhak Cohen (2006–08) *
Aryeh Deri Aryeh Makhlouf Deri (, ), also Arie Deri, Arye Deri, or Arieh Deri (born 17 February 1959), is an Israeli politician. He is one of the founders of the Shas political party, and has served as Israel's Minister of the Interior, Minister of the D ...
(1993) *
Aryeh Dolchin Arieh Leon Dulzin (, 31 March 1913 – 13 September 1989) was a Zionist activist who served as a Minister without Portfolio in the Israeli government between December 1969 and August 1970, though he was never a member of the Knesset. Biography D ...
(1969–70) * Sarah Doron (1983–84) * Abba Eban (1959–60) * Rafael Edri (1988–90) * Yaakov Edri (2006–07) * Effi Eitam (2002) *
Yisrael Galili Yisrael Galili ( he, ישראל גלילי; 10 February 1911 – 8 February 1986) was an Israeli politician, government minister and member of Knesset. Before Israel's independence in 1948, he served as Chief of Staff of the Haganah. Biography Y ...
(1966–67, 1969–77) * Akiva Govrin (1963–64) *
Mordechai Gur Mordechai "Motta" Gur ( he, מרדכי "מוטה" גור, May 6, 1930 – July 16, 1995) was an Israeli politician and the 10th Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces. During the Six-Day War (1967), he commanded the brigade that penetrated ...
(1988–90) *
Gideon Hausner Gideon Hausner ( he, גדעון האוזנר, 26 September 1915 – 15 November 1990) was an Israeli jurist and politician. Between 1960 and 1963, he served as Attorney General and was later elected to the Knesset and served in the cabinet. Ha ...
(1974–77) * Tzachi Hanegbi (2016, 2020) * Yigal Hurvitz (1984–88) *
Haim Landau Haim Landau ( he, חיים לנדאו, 10 September 1916 – 16 October 1981) was an Israeli independence fighter, Knesset member and Minister in the government of Menachem Begin. Career Landau was born in Kraków, Austria-Hungary (today in Pola ...
(1978–79) * Pinhas Lavon (1952–54) * David Levy (2002) * Yitzhak Levy (2002) *
Tzipi Livni Tziporah Malka "Tzipi" Livni ( he, ציפי (ציפורה) מלכה לבני, ; born 8 July 1958) is an Israeli politician, diplomat, and lawyer. A former member of the Knesset and leader in the center-left political camp, Livni is a former fore ...
(2001–02) *
David Magen David (; , "beloved one") (traditional spelling), , ''Dāwūd''; grc-koi, Δαυΐδ, Dauíd; la, Davidus, David; gez , ዳዊት, ''Dawit''; xcl, Դաւիթ, ''Dawitʿ''; cu, Давíдъ, ''Davidŭ''; possibly meaning "beloved one". w ...
(1990) * Raleb Majadele (2007) *
Dan Meridor Dan Meridor ( he, דן מרידור, born 23 April 1947) is an Israeli politician and minister. A longtime member of the Likud party, in the late 1990s he became one of the founders of the Centre Party. He rejoined Likud a decade later, and re ...
(2001–03) * Yitzhak Moda'i (1981–82, 1986–88) * Shaul Mofaz (2012) * Peretz Naftali (1951–52, 1955–59) *
Meshulam Nahari Rabbi Meshulam Nahari ( he, מְשׁוּלָּם נָהָרִי, born 7 May 1951) is an Israeli politician. He served as a member of the Knesset for Shas in two spells between 1999 and 2021. Biography Meshullam Nahari was born in Jerusalem to ...
(2006–13) * Dan Naveh (2001–03) * Moshe Nissim (1978–80, 1988–90) *
Ehud Olmert Ehud Olmert (; he, אֶהוּד אוֹלְמֶרְט, ; born 30 September 1945) is an Israeli politician and lawyer. He served as the 12th Prime Minister of Israel from 2006 to 2009 and before that as a cabinet minister from 1988 to 1992 and ...
(1988–90) *
Yossi Peled Yossi Peled ( he, יוסי פלד, born 18 January 1941) is an Israeli general and politician, the former Aluf of the Northern Command in the Israel Defense Forces. Biography Early life Yossi Peled was born Jozef (Jeffke) Mendelevich in Belgiu ...
(2009) *
Shimon Peres Shimon Peres (; he, שמעון פרס ; born Szymon Perski; 2 August 1923 – 28 September 2016) was an Israeli politician who served as the eighth prime minister of Israel from 1984 to 1986 and from 1995 to 1996 and as the ninth president of ...
(1969) * Yitzhak Peretz (1984, 1987–88) *
Haim Ramon Haim Ramon ( he, חיים רמון, born 10 April 1950) is an Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset between 1983 and 2009, and as both Vice Prime Minister and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office with responsibility for st ...
(2005) * Pinchas Sapir (1968–69) * Yosef Sapir (1967–69) *
Avner Shaki Avner-Hai Shaki ( he, אבנר-חי שאקי, 5 February 1926 - 28 May 2005) was an Israeli politician who served as a government minister in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Biography Born in Safed during the Mandate era, Shaki studied law, gai ...
(1988–90) *
Yosef Shapira Yosef Shapira ( he, יוסף שפירא, 26 December 1926 – 28 December 2013) was an Israeli politician and educator who served as Minister without Portfolio between 1984 and 1988, although he was never a member of the Knesset. Born in Jerusa ...
(1984–88) *
Ariel Sharon Ariel Sharon (; ; ; also known by his diminutive Arik, , born Ariel Scheinermann, ; 26 February 1928 – 11 January 2014) was an Israeli general and politician who served as the 11th Prime Minister of Israel from March 2001 until April 2006. S ...
(1983–84) *
Victor Shem-Tov Victor Shem-Tov ( bg, Виктор Шемтов; he, ויקטור שם-טוב; 1 February 1915 – 8 March 2014) was an Israeli politician who held several ministerial portfolios in the late 1960s and 1970s. Biography Born in Bulgaria to a fami ...
(1969–70) * Salah Tarif (2001–02) *
Ezer Weizman Ezer Weizman (; he, עֵזֶר וַיצְמָן ''Ezer Vaytsman''; 15 June 1924 – 24 April 2005) was the seventh President of Israel, first elected in 1993 and re-elected in 1998. Before the presidency, Weizman was commander of the Israeli Ai ...
(1984–88) * Dov Yosef (1952–53) * Rehavam Ze'evi (1991–92)


Italy


Kenya

In
Kenya ) , national_anthem = "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...
, ministers without portfolio are not common. However two individuals have held the position in the country's history. They are: *
Chunilal Madan Chunilal Bhagwandas Madan QC (born Chunilal Bhagwandas Bhusri; 11 November 1912 – 22 September 1989) was a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Kenya. He served between 1985–1986 and was succeeded by Justice Cecil Henry Ethelwood Miller. ...
(1956–1957) He was the first Kenyan minister with Asian descent and also country's first minister without portfolio. He was appointed to oversee Kenya's Colonial government operations prior to being appointed as a judge in the country's
Supreme court A supreme court is the highest court within the hierarchy of courts in most legal jurisdictions. Other descriptions for such courts include court of last resort, apex court, and high (or final) court of appeal. Broadly speaking, the decisions of ...
in 1957. * Raphael Tuju (2018–2022). He was appointed by
Uhuru Kenyatta Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta (born 26 October 1961) is a Kenyan politician who served as the fourth president of Kenya from 2013 to 2022. Kenyatta was chosen by Daniel Arap Moi as his preferred successor, but Kenyatta was defeated by opposition le ...
to oversee government operations in his second term of presidency.


North Macedonia

As of 2017, ministers without portfolio (министер без ресор) are: *
Ramiz Merko Ramiz, Rameez or Rhomeez / ( ar, رامز ) is an Arabic masculine given name meaning "one who communicates well", "wise", "noble", or "intelligent".{{cite book, title=A Dictionary of Muslim Names, author= S. A. Rahman, publisher=Goodword Books ...
*
Edmond Ademi Edmond is a given name related to Edmund. Persons named Edmond include: * Edmond Canaple (1797–1876), French politician * Edmond Chehade (born 1993), Lebanese footballer * Edmond Conn (1914–1998), American farmer, businessman, and politician ...
* Robert Popovski *
Zoran Sapurik Zoran ( sr-Cyrl, Зоран) is a common South Slavic name, the masculine form of Zora (given name), Zora, which means ''dawn, daybreak''. The name is especially common in Serbia, North Macedonia, Croatia and a little in Slovenia. Notable people ...
*
Zorica Apostolovska Zorica (Cyrillic script: Зорица) is a feminine given name. Notable people with the name include: *Zorica Dimitrijević-Stošić, Serbian pianist, accompanist, Full Professor of Piano at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade *Zorica Ðurković (bor ...
*
Adnan Kahil Adnan ( ar, عدنان, 'adnān) is the traditional ancestor of the Adnanites, Adnanite Arabs of Northern, Western, Eastern and Central Arabian Peninsula, Arabia, as opposed to the Qahtanite, Qahtanite Arabs of Southern Arabia who descend from Q ...
*
Samka Ibraimovski Samka ( my, Saga) was a Shan state in the Central Division of the Southern Shan States in what is today Burma Myanmar, ; UK pronunciations: US pronunciations incl. . Note: Wikipedia's IPA conventions require indicating /r/ even in British ...


Malta

*
Carmelo Abela Carmelo Abela (born 10 February 1972) is a Maltese politician and is serving as an incumbent Labour MP and was the Minister for Home Affairs and National Security. He also served as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion. and as Deput ...
(2020–) *
Joe Mizzi Joe or JOE may refer to: Arts Film and television * ''Joe'' (1970 film), starring Peter Boyle * ''Joe'' (2013 film), starring Nicolas Cage * ''Joe'' (TV series), a British TV series airing from 1966 to 1971 * ''Joe'', a 2002 Canadian animated ...
(1996–1998) *
Konrad Mizzi Konrad Mizzi (born 4 November 1977) is a disgraced Maltese politician and served as a Member of Parliament until 2022. He served as Minister for Energy and the Conservation of Water between 2013 and 2014, Minister for Energy and Health from 2014 ...
(2016–2017) On April 28, 2016, following the appearance of his name in the
Panama Papers The Panama Papers ( es, Papeles de Panamá) are 11.5 million leaked documents (or 2.6 terabytes of data) that were published beginning on April 3, 2016. The papers detail financial and attorney–client information for more than 214,488 ...
leaks, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announced in a press conference at the Auberge de Castille that Konrad Mizzi was to be removed from the position of Health and Energy Minister. Mizzi would however retain the title of minister without portfolio, working within the Office of the Prime Minister.


Nepal

Ram Sharan Mahat Ram Sharan Mahat was the Finance Minister of Nepal under the government led by Sushil Koirala. Political Career Mahat represented Nepali Congress in the parliament for four consecutive term and currently a parliamentarian from Nuwakot -2. ...
.


Netherlands

A minister without portfolio in the Netherlands is a minister that does not head a specific
ministry Ministry may refer to: Government * Ministry (collective executive), the complete body of government ministers under the leadership of a prime minister * Ministry (government department), a department of a government Religion * Christian ...
, but assumes the same power and responsibilities as a minister that does. The minister is responsible for a specific part of another minister's policy field. In that sense, a minister without portfolio is comparable to a ''
staatssecretaris Undersecretary (or under secretary) is a title for a person who works for and has a lower rank than a secretary (person in charge). It is used in the executive branch of government, with different meanings in different political systems, and is al ...
'' (state secretary or junior minister) in Dutch politics, who also falls under another ministry and is responsible for a specific part of that minister's policy field. However, one distinct difference is that a minister without portfolio is a member of the
council of ministers A council is a group of people who come together to consult, deliberate, or make decisions. A council may function as a legislature, especially at a town, city or county/shire level, but most legislative bodies at the state/provincial or natio ...
and can vote in it, whereas a state secretary is not. The minister for development cooperation has always been a minister without portfolio. In the second Balkenende cabinet there were three ministers without portfolio:
Agnes van Ardenne Anna Maria Agnes "Agnes" van Ardenne-Van der Hoeven (born 21 January 1950) is a retired Dutch politician and diplomat of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA). Career Agnes van Ardenne was born in Maasland in 1950. Before taking office as a mem ...
(Development Cooperation), Rita Verdonk (Integration and Immigration) and Alexander Pechtold (Government Reform and Kingdom Relations). In the fourth Balkenende cabinet there were three ministers without portfolio:
Eberhard van der Laan Eberhard Edzard van der Laan (; 28 June 1955 – 5 October 2017) was a Dutch politician who served as Minister for Housing, Communities and Integration from 2008 to 2010 and Mayor of Amsterdam from 2010 until his death in 2017. He was a member ...
(Housing, Neighbourhoods and Integration),
Bert Koenders Albert Gerard "Bert" Koenders (; born 28 May 1958) is a Dutch politician of the Labour Party (PvdA) who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2014 to 2017. He is currently a professor at Leiden University and a special envoy of the World Ban ...
(Development Cooperation) and
André Rouvoet André Rouvoet (; born 4 January 1962) is a retired Dutch politician of the Reformatory Political Federation (RPF) party and later the Christian Union (CU) party and jurist. He is the chairman of the executive board of the Healthcare Insurance ...
, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Youth and Family. The second Rutte cabinet had two ministers without portfolio:
Stef Blok Stephanus Abraham "Stef" Blok (born 10 December 1964) is a Dutch politician serving as Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy in the Third Rutte cabinet from 25 May 2021 till 10 January 2022. He is a member of the People's Party for Fr ...
(Housing and the Central Government Sector) and
Lilianne Ploumen Elisabeth Maria Josepha "Lilianne" Ploumen (; born 12 July 1962) is a Dutch politician and activist who served as Leader of the Labour Party from January 2021 until April 2022. She had been a member of the House of Representatives since 2017, a ...
(Development Cooperation). The third Rutte cabinet has four ministers without portfolio: Sigrid Kaag (Development Cooperation),
Sander Dekker Sander Dekker (born 9 February 1975) is a Dutch politician who served as Minister for Legal Protection in the Third Rutte cabinet from 2017 to 2022. A member of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), he previously served as State S ...
(Legal Protection),
Martin van Rijn Maarten Johannes "Martin" van Rijn (born 7 February 1956) is a Dutch politician and businessman who served as Minister for Medical Care from March to July 2020. A member of the Labour Party (PvdA), he previously was CEO and Chairman of the Rein ...
(Medical Care), and Arie Slob (Primary and Secondary Education and Media). The fourth Rutte cabinet has eight ministers without portfolio: Carola Schouten (Poverty, Participation and Pensions),
Liesje Schreinemacher Elisabeth "Liesje" Schreinemacher (born 13 May 1983) is a Dutch lawyer and politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) who has served as Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation in the fourth Rutte cabinet sin ...
(Development Cooperation),
Rob Jetten Rob Arnoldus Adrianus Jetten (; born 25 March 1987) is a Dutch politician of Democrats 66 (D66). He served as the party's parliamentary leader in the House of Representatives. Early life and education Jetten grew up in Uden, Noord-Brabant and ...
(Climate and Energy),
Conny Helder Conny Helder (born 27 November 1958) is a Dutch healthcare manager, who has been serving as Minister for Long-term Care and Sport as part of the fourth Rutte cabinet since 2022. She was born in The Hague and trained to be a surgical assistant. ...
(Long-Term Healthcare and Sport), Christianne van der Wal (Nature and Nitrogen reduction),
Franc Weerwind Franciscus Max "Franc" Weerwind (born 22 September 1964) is a Dutch politician of Democrats 66 (D66) who has been serving as minister for legal protection in the cabinet of Prime Minister Mark Rutte since 10 January 2022. Early life and educ ...
(Legal Protection), Hugo de Jonge (Housing and Urban Development), and
Dennis Wiersma Auke Dennis Wiersma (born 19 February 1986) is a Dutch politician, who served as a member of the House of Representatives from 2017 to 2021. A member of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), he was appointed State Secretary for Soci ...
(Primary and Secondary Education and Media).


New Zealand

In the
First Labour Government The first MacDonald ministry of the United Kingdom lasted from January to November 1924. The Labour Party, under Ramsay MacDonald, had failed to win the general election of December 1923, with 191 seats, although the combined Opposition tall ...
from 1935
Mark Fagan Mark Anthony Fagan (17 November 1873 – 31 December 1947) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party and a union secretary. He was Speaker of the Legislative Council from 1939 until his death. Biography Early life Fagan was born at G ...
was a "minister without portfolio" from 1935 to 1939, as was David Wilson from 1939 to 1949. They were appointed to the
upper house An upper house is one of two Debate chamber, chambers of a bicameralism, bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the lower house.''Bicameralism'' (1997) by George Tsebelis The house formally designated as the upper house is usually smalle ...
and made a "minister without portfolio" to add them to the cabinet although neither were elected to a seat in Parliament. In the Third National Government,
Keith Holyoake Sir Keith Jacka Holyoake, (; 11 February 1904 – 8 December 1983) was the 26th prime minister of New Zealand, serving for a brief period in 1957 and then from 1960 to 1972, and also the 13th governor-general of New Zealand, serving from 1977 ...
was made a Minister of State 1975–77 after he had retired as party leader, and in the Fourth National Government Robin Gray was made a Minister of State 1993–96 after he was replaced as Speaker (though he was also Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs). Both appointments were considered sinecures to avoid their return as '
backbencher In Westminster and other parliamentary systems, a backbencher is a member of parliament (MP) or a legislator who occupies no governmental office and is not a frontbench spokesperson in the Opposition, being instead simply a member of the " ...
s'. The following were appointed to the Executive Council as ministers without portfolio. ;Key
†: Died in office


Norway

From 2009 to 2013 Karl Eirik Schjøtt-Pedersen (Labour) was a Minister without Portfolio and Chief of Staff in the Prime Ministers Office, where his job was to co-ordinate within government.


Philippines

During the
Japanese Occupation of the Philippines The Japanese occupation of the Philippines (Filipino: ''Pananakop ng mga Japones sa Filipinas''; ja, 日本のフィリピン占領, Nihon no Firipin Senryō) occurred between 1942 and 1945, when Imperial Japan occupied the Commonwealth of the ...
, then-Senate President
Manuel Roxas Manuel Acuña Roxas (born Manuel Roxas y Acuña; ; January 1, 1892 – April 15, 1948) was a Filipino lawyer and politician who served as the fifth president of the Philippines, who served from 1946 until his death due to heart attacks in 194 ...
was appointed minister without portfolio by the Japanese Government.


Portugal

Following the
Carnation Revolution The Carnation Revolution ( pt, Revolução dos Cravos), also known as the 25 April ( pt, 25 de Abril, links=no), was a military coup by left-leaning military officers that overthrew the authoritarian Estado Novo regime on 25 April 1974 in Lisbo ...
, several politicians were made ministers without portfolio: *
Álvaro Cunhal Álvaro Barreirinhas Cunhal (; 10 November 1913 – 13 June 2005) was a Portuguese communist revolutionary and politician. He was one of the major opponents of the dictatorial regime of the '' Estado Novo''. He served as secretary-general of the P ...
(1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th provisional government) * Ernesto Melo Antunes (2nd, 3rd provisional government) *
Francisco Pereira de Moura Francisco Pereira de Moura (1925–1998) was a Portuguese scholar, economist and politician opposed to the Estado Novo (Portugal), Estado Novo regime. He led the ''United Democratic Electoral Commission'' in the rigged Portuguese National Assembl ...
(1st, 4th provisional government) * Francisco Sá Carneiro (1st provisional government) *
Joaquim Magalhães Mota Joaquim Jorge de Magalhães Saraiva da Mota (November 17, 1935 in Santarém, São Salvador – September 26, 2007 in Lisbon) was a Portuguese lawyer and politician. Background He was a son of Elói do Nascimento Saraiva da Mota (July 2, 1907 ...
(2nd, 3rd, 4th provisional government) * Jorge Campinos (1st constitutional government) * Mário Soares (4th provisional government) * Vítor Alves (2nd, 3rd provisional government) After the 1st Constitutional Government (1976–1978), there haven't been any appointments of ministers without portfolio. A similar but not sinecural cabinet position, that of Minister Adjunct (''ministro adjunto''), who does not head a particular ministry but is instead tasked with the general interministerial measures found in the government programme, has been created in some Portuguese governments.


Serbia

From 2007 to 2008, Dragan Đilas was a "minister without portfolio" in charge of the National Investment Plan. *
Milan Krkobabić Milan Krkobabić ( sr-cyr, Милан Кркобабић; born 12 October 1952) is a Serbian politician serving as Ministry of Rural Welfare (Serbia), minister of rural welfare since 2020. A member of the Krkobabić political family, he is the cu ...
(2016) *
Slavica Đukić Dejanović Slavica Đukić Dejanović ( sr-Cyrl, Славица Ђукић Дејановић, ; born 4 July 1951) is a Serbian politician, former Minister of Health in the Government of Serbia, acting Head of State of Serbia and President of the National ...
(2017) *
Nenad Popović Nenad Popović ( sr-cyr, Ненад Поповић; born 30 September 1966) is a Serbian politician and businessman who served as Minister without portfolio (Serbia), minister without portfolio from 2017 to 2022. A long-time member of the Democ ...
(2017)


Singapore

In
Singapore Singapore (), officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude () north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, borde ...
, the appointment holder is known as a 'Minister in the Prime Minister's Office'.


Sweden

* Dag Hammarskjöld (1951–1953). *
Olof Palme Sven Olof Joachim Palme (; ; 30 January 1927 – 28 February 1986) was a Swedish politician and statesman who served as Prime Minister of Sweden from 1969 to 1976 and 1982 to 1986. Palme led the Swedish Social Democratic Party from 1969 until h ...
(1963–1965).


Taiwan

In the
Executive Yuan The Executive Yuan () is the executive branch of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Its leader is the Premier, who is appointed by the President of the Republic of China, and requires confirmation by the Legislative Yuan. ...
of the
Republic of China Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia, at the junction of the East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest, Japan to the northeast ...
, there are several ministers without portfolio at once. Currently, they are: * Chang Ching-sen *
Huang Chih-ta Huang Chih-ta (; born 28 February 1972) is a Taiwanese politician. Early life and family Huang Chi-ta's maternal grandfather was a banker in Yilan County who was killed during the aftermath of 228 incident, as National Revolutionary Army pers ...
*
John Deng John Deng (; born 29 July 1952) is a politician in the Republic of China (Taiwan), currently minister without portfolio in charge of the Office of Trade Negotiations. He was the Minister of Economic Affairs since 8 December 2014 until 20 May 201 ...
*
Kung Ming-hsin Kung Ming-hsin () is a Taiwanese politician. Early life Kung obtained his bachelor's degree in statistics from Fu Jen Catholic University in 1986, master's degree in economics from National Taiwan University in 1989 and doctoral degree in econo ...
, also serving as Minister of National Development Council * Lo Ping-cheng *
Lin Wan-i Lin Wan-i () is a Taiwanese people, Taiwanese academic and minister without portfolio of the Executive Yuan, having taken office on 20 May 2016. Education Lin obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees in sociology from National Taiwan Univers ...
*
Wu Tze-cheng Wu Tze-cheng, sometimes transliterated Wu Ze-Cheng, (; born 15 December 1945) is a Taiwanese politician and the last Governor of Taiwan Province. Education Wu obtained his master's degree in Construction Engineering and Management from Nationa ...
, also serving as Minister of Public Construction Commission


Tanzania

President Jakaya Kikwete appointed Professor Mark Mwandosya as a minister without portfolio in 2012.


Uganda

Since 2015, the cabinet list has included a minister without portfolio: * Abraham Byandala – 2015 until 2016 *
Abdul Nadduli Al hajji Abdul Nadduli (born 22 December 1942) in Nakaseke district is a Ugandan politician. He is a former minister without portfolio in the Cabinet of Uganda. He was appointed to that position on 6 June 2016, a position he served in until 14 ...
– 2016 to 2019 *
Kirunda Kivejinja Ali Kirunda Kivejinja (12 June 1935 – 19 December 2020), more commonly known as Kirunda Kivejinja, was a veteran Politics of Uganda, Ugandan politician and senior presidential advisor to the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni. He at the time ...
– 2019 to 2021


United Kingdom


United States

The
Vice President of the United States The vice president of the United States (VPOTUS) is the second-highest officer in the executive branch of the U.S. federal government, after the president of the United States, and ranks first in the presidential line of succession. The vice ...
is a member of the
Cabinet Cabinet or The Cabinet may refer to: Furniture * Cabinetry, a box-shaped piece of furniture with doors and/or drawers * Display cabinet, a piece of furniture with one or more transparent glass sheets or transparent polycarbonate sheets * Filing ...
but heads no department. As such, the Vice President may be assigned to policy areas of the President's choosing such as foreign diplomacy (
Richard Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913April 22, 1994) was the 37th president of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as a representative and senator from California and was ...
), space programs ( Lyndon B. Johnson) or public health (
Mike Pence Michael Richard Pence (born June 7, 1959) is an American politician who served as the 48th vice president of the United States from 2017 to 2021 under President Donald Trump. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 50th ...
). Prior to the mid-
19th century The 19th (nineteenth) century began on 1 January 1801 ( MDCCCI), and ended on 31 December 1900 ( MCM). The 19th century was the ninth century of the 2nd millennium. The 19th century was characterized by vast social upheaval. Slavery was abolis ...
, the Vice President's position as
President of the Senate President of the Senate is a title often given to the presiding officer of a senate. It corresponds to the speaker in some other assemblies. The senate president often ranks high in a jurisdiction's succession for its top executive office: for e ...
caused the office to be seen as primarily legislative in nature, and as such they were not assigned to deal with public policy. Cabinet-level officials are president-designated additional members of the Cabinet, which can vary under each president. Most of them head no department, and some of them are not
officers of the United States An officer of the United States is a functionary of the executive or judicial branches of the federal government of the United States to whom is delegated some part of the country's sovereign power. The term "officer of the United States" is not a ...
. For example, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget is the head of the
Office of Management and Budget The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is the largest office within the Executive Office of the President of the United States (EOP). OMB's most prominent function is to produce the president's budget, but it also examines agency programs, pol ...
, which is an office within a department, namely the
Executive Office of the President of the United States The Executive Office of the President (EOP) comprises the offices and agencies that support the work of the president at the center of the executive branch of the United States federal government. The EOP consists of several offices and agenc ...
headed by the White House Chief of Staff. Similar situations apply (or applied) for the
Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers The Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) is a United States agency within the Executive Office of the President established in 1946, which advises the President of the United States on economic policy. The CEA provides much of the empirical resea ...
, the Trade Representative, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy,
National Security Advisor A national security advisor serves as the chief advisor to a national government on matters of security. The advisor is not usually a member of the government's cabinet but is usually a member of various military or security councils. National sec ...
,
Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is a component of the Executive Office of the President of the United States. The Director of the ONDCP, colloquially known as the Drug Czar, heads the office. "Drug Czar" was a term first used ...
. An individual who has great influence on government affairs without holding formal office might be described as a "minister without portfolio". Such an appellation is completely unofficial (possibly intended jokingly or disparagingly) and merely serves to underscore the extent of the individual's already-existing influence; it does not grant any new influence or power. Examples include
Bernard Baruch Bernard Mannes Baruch (August 19, 1870 – June 20, 1965) was an American financier and statesman. After amassing a fortune on the New York Stock Exchange, he impressed President Woodrow Wilson by managing the nation's economic mobilization in ...
, Arthur Burns, and Ivanka Trump. During his tenure as
Secretary of Commerce of the United States The United States secretary of commerce (SecCom) is the head of the United States Department of Commerce. The secretary serves as the principal advisor to the president of the United States on all matters relating to commerce. The secretary rep ...
the later President
Herbert Hoover Herbert Clark Hoover (August 10, 1874 – October 20, 1964) was an American politician who served as the 31st president of the United States from 1929 to 1933 and a member of the Republican Party, holding office during the onset of the Gr ...
was sometimes referred to as "Secretary of Commerce and Under-Secretary of all other departments" due to his propensity to get involved in federal government policy outside his department and taking charge when other ministers and/or the President wouldn't or couldn't, such as with his administration of federal relief efforts in the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927.


Vietnam

In the first
government A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a state. In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive, and judiciary. Government is a ...
of the
Democratic Republic of Vietnam North Vietnam, officially the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV; vi, Việt Nam Dân chủ Cộng hòa), was a socialist state supported by the Soviet Union (USSR) and the People's Republic of China (PRC) in Southeast Asia that existed f ...
founded by Hồ Chí Minh after the August Revolution in September 1945, Cù Huy Cận and
Nguyễn Văn Xuân Nguyễn Văn Xuân (3 April 1892 – 14 January 1989) was president of the government of Cochinchina from 1947 to 1948, then prime minister of the Provisional Central Government of Vietnam from 23 May 1948 to 20 June 1949, during the First Indoc ...
were assigned the "Minister without Porfolio" positions. In January 1946, the " Provisional Coalition Government" was installed, and Nguyen Van Xuan retained the post of Minister without Portfolio while Cu Huy Can was elevated to the Ministry of Agriculture. From November 1946 to early 1955, the
Viet Minh The Việt Minh (; abbreviated from , chữ Nôm and Hán tự: ; french: Ligue pour l'indépendance du Viêt Nam, ) was a national independence coalition formed at Pác Bó by Hồ Chí Minh on 19 May 1941. Also known as the Việt Minh Fro ...
(and later the Worker's Party)-led "New Government" fought against the return of France to Indochina and the post Ministers without Portfolio was held by Nguyễn Văn Tố, Đặng Văn Hướng and Bồ Xuân Luật. Since the 1954 Geneva Convention, the position has been vacant, except briefly during the 1960-1964 cabinet elected by the
2nd National Assembly 2nd National Assembly may refer to: * 2nd National Assembly at Astros * 2nd National Assembly of France * 2nd National Assembly of Laos, following the 1st Supreme People's Assembly of Laos * 2nd National Assembly of Namibia * 2nd National Assem ...
, where Lê Văn Hiến occupied the post "Minister without Porfolio and Deputy Chair of the State Planning Commission." In 2014, Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng tasked the Cabinet Office to examine the possibility of re-introducing the post "Minister without Porfolio." There have been no further developments since.


References


External links


List of Canadian Ministers Without Portfolio and Ministers of State
(Parliament of Canada Website)

{{Cabinet Office *Without portfolio *Without portfolio Canadian ministers Portfolio, Minister without