It’s All Relative

You’re not seeing double. Lech Kaczynski, far left, is the President of Poland, and he recently chose his twin brother Jaroslaw to serve as Prime Minister. Critics cried nepotism. But naming relatives to positions of power isn’t new–and in monarchies, it can be automatic. Even in lands without emperors or kings, though, there’s a long history of keeping the power in the family. Here are a few examples.

JOHN ADAMS AND JOHN QUINCY ADAMS The second U.S. President came under fire in 1797 when he appointed his son John Quincy as Minister to Prussia–then a prominent diplomatic post.

FRANK AND LISA MURKOWSKI When Frank Murkowski was elected Governor of Alaska in 2002, he chose a fellow Republican–his daughter Lisa–to fill his U.S. Senate seat.

J.F.K. AND R.F.K. John F. Kennedy tapped younger brother Bobby as manager of his 1952 Senate and 1960 presidential campaigns. Those jobs successfully done, R.F.K. was given the post of Attorney General and served as J.F.K.’s closest adviser.

JUAN AND EVITA PERON Argentine President Perón named his second wife Eva the nation’s Spiritual Leader before she died in 1952. When he became President for a second time in 1973, he chose third wife Isabel as his V.P.

ARTHUR BALFOUR AND ROBERT CECIL Ever heard the saying “Bob’s your uncle”? It means “no problem” and refers to Cecil, a Victorian Prime Minister who named Balfour, his nephew, to a series of Cabinet posts.

FIDEL AND RAUL CASTRO Talk about a brotherly bond: after being imprisoned and exiled together, they led Cuba’s revolution. In 1959, Fidel rewarded his loyal little bro, naming him Defense Minister.