Bhutan’s political system has evolved over time with its tradition and culture. It transcended from a fragmented and disoriented rule of different regions by local chieftains into parliamentary democracy we have in place at present. The transition of Bhutan’s political system from a monarchy to democratic form of government began from the palace. “It is a gift from the golden throne” say the Bhutanese citizens. Majority of the Bhutanese were reluctant for the change but the fourth king insisted on establishing the democratic system and eventually led to the evolution of ‘Democracy’. Today Bhutan is described as the youngest democracy in the world.
To envisage and embrace democratic governance of the country different reforms were instituted by the Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck when he founded National Assembly (Tshogdu) in 1953 and it was followed by many other establishments during the reign of the fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
The devolution of the power of the king in 1998 to the cabinet members by the Fourth King was the highest form of decentralization. The King, thereafter, served as the Head of The State while the government was managed by the Prime Minister.
The king Jigme Singye Wangchuck declared in 2005, December that he would step down the throne and adopt a parliamentary democracy. The 50 year old King announced that he would abdicate in favour of his son, the present king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck came as a jolt to many. The constitution was launched in 2008 and with it a parliamentary democracy form of government was introduced.
Bhutan’s process of democratization from Hereditary Monarchy has been a meticulously managed proceeding that yielded fruit when the first ever democratic elections in Bhutan was held on 24 March, 2008. The elections that time happened to be by some fate a contest between two parties both led by former Prime Ministers under the monarch. The Druk Phunsum Tshogpa (DPT) was mandated to serve the people with landslide victory over People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2008. In the next election on 13th July 2013 people have chosen People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the new government. Today Dasho Tshering Tobgay is the Prime Minister of the current government.