Bharrat Jagdeo was appointed President of the Republic of Guyana in August, 1999 replacing Janet Jagan, who resigned due to ill health. In 2001 he was elected President . Bharrat Jagdeo was born on 23 January 1964. He earned the M.S (Economics) degree at Friendship University, Moscow. In 1977 he joined the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), youth arm of the People's Progressive Party (PPP). In 1980 he became a member of the PPP, and later served in leadership positions on District and Regional Committees.

In 1990 he began working at the State Planning Secretariat as an economist, then became Special Advisor to Minister of Finance in 1992 in the PPP/Civic Government. In 1993 he was appointed Junior Minister of Finance and served as Member of the PPP Central and Executive Committees. In 1995 he was promoted to Senior Minister of Finance. He acted as Prime Minister on several occasions. Bharrat Jagdeo also held a number of posts in local and international financial bodies, including Director of the National Bank of Industry and Commerce and governor of the International Monetary Fund.

On August 9, 1999 he was appointed Prime Minister following the resignation of Prime Minister Sam Hinds. Two days later, on August 11, 1999 President Janet Jagan resigned on account of poor health. Under the Constitution, a president who leaves office before completing a term is succeeded by the Prime Minister. The now Prime Minister Jagdeo therefore became President. At elections held on March 19, 2001, the PPP again won the elections, returning President Jagdeo to office.