The current premier of the Free State is Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae, who was elected on 14 June 2024.
The executive authority of a province is entrusted by the Constitution of South Africa in the premier.
The premier designates an Executive Council made up of ten members of the provincial legislature.
If the premier and the legislature cannot agree, the act must be referred to the Constitutional Court for a final decision.
If the premiership becomes vacant (for whatever reason) the provincial legislature must choose a new premier to serve out the period until the next election.