List of prime ministers of Bhutan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of Bhutan |
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| Appointer | Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck as King of Bhutan |
| Inaugural holder | Ugyen Dorji (Chief Minister) Jigme Palden Dorji (Prime Minister) |
| Formation | 1907 (Chief Minister) 1952 (Prime Minister) |
| Salary | 3,053,094 Bhutanese ngultrum/$37,365 USD annually (2015) |
The Prime Minister of Bhutan is the main leader of the government in Bhutan. In Bhutan, the Prime Minister is also called the Lyonchen (which means "chief minister" in Dzongkha, the language of Bhutan).
The Prime Minister is chosen from the political party that wins the most votes in the National Assembly. This person then leads the group of ministers, called the Council of Ministers. This group helps the Prime Minister run the country.
On April 9, 2008, Jigme Thinley became the first Prime Minister chosen by the people. This happened after Bhutan had its first democratic election.
The current Prime Minister is Tshering Tobgay. He started his role on January 28, 2024.
Contents
Leaders of Bhutan's Government
Early Leaders: Chief Ministers (Gongzim)
Before Bhutan had Prime Ministers, it had Chief Ministers. These leaders were called Gongzim. They helped the King manage the country.
| No. | Picture | Name (Born–Died) |
Time in Office | King (Reign) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Started | Ended | How Long | |||||
| 1 |  |
Raja Ugyen Dorji (1855–1916) |
1907 | 1916 |
c. 8–9 years | Ugyen.jpg) (1907–1926) |
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| 2 |  |
Raja Sonam Topgay Dorji (1896–1953) |
1917 | 1952 | c. 34–35 years | ||
Jigme (1926–1952) |
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Modern Prime Ministers (Lyonchen)
Bhutan started having Prime Ministers in 1952. These leaders are chosen to guide the country's government.
| No. | Picture | Name (Born–Died) |
Time in Office | Political Party | Election | Cabinet | King (Reign) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Started | Ended | How Long | ||||||||
| 1 | |
Jigme Palden Dorji (1919–1964) |
1952 | April 6, 1964 |
c. 11–12 years | Independent | — | — | Jigme Dorji.jpg) (1952–1972) |
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| No Prime Minister (April 6, 1964–July 25, 1964) | ||||||||||
| — | |
Lhendup Dorji (1935–2007) Acting Prime Minister |
July 25, 1964 | November 27, 1964 | 125 days | Independent | — | — | ||
| Position Removed (November 27, 1964–July 20, 1998) | ||||||||||
Jigme Singye (1972–2006) |
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| 2 | .jpg) |
Jigme Thinley (born 1952) 1st time |
July 20, 1998 | July 9, 1999 | 354 days | Independent | — | — | ||
| 3 |  |
Sangay Ngedup (born 1953) 1st time |
July 9, 1999 | July 20, 2000 | 1 year, 11 days | Independent | — | — | ||
| 4 | .jpg) |
Yeshey Zimba (1950–2024) 1st time |
July 20, 2000 | August 8, 2001 | 1 year, 19 days | Independent | — | — | ||
| 5 | .jpg) |
Khandu Wangchuk (born 1950) 1st time |
August 8, 2001 | August 14, 2002 | 1 year, 6 days | Independent | — | — | ||
| 6 | .jpg) |
Kinzang Dorji (born 1951) 1st time |
August 14, 2002 | August 30, 2003 | 1 year, 16 days | Independent | — | — | ||
| (2) | |
Jigme Thinley (born 1952) 2nd time |
August 30, 2003 | August 18, 2004 | 354 days | Independent | — | — | ||
| (4) | |
Yeshey Zimba (1950–2024) 2nd time |
August 18, 2004 | September 5, 2005 | 1 year, 18 days | Independent | — | — | ||
| (3) | |
Sangay Ngedup (born 1953) 2nd time |
September 5, 2005 | September 7, 2006 | 1 year, 2 days | Independent | — | — | ||
| (5) | |
Khandu Wangchuk (born 1950) 2nd time |
September 7, 2006 | July 31, 2007 | 327 days | Independent | — | — | ||
Jigme Khesar Namgyel (2006–present) |
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| (6) | |
Kinzang Dorji (born 1951) 2nd time |
July 31, 2007 | April 9, 2008 | 253 days | Independent | — | — | ||
| Democratically elected | ||||||||||
| (2) | |
Jigme Thinley (born 1952) 3rd time |
April 9, 2008 | April 28, 2013 | 5 years, 19 days | DPT | 2008 | Thinley | ||
| — | _2.jpg) |
Sonam Tobgye (born 1949) Chief Advisor |
April 28, 2013 | July 27, 2013 | 90 days | Independent | — | Tobgye Interim | ||
| 7 |  |
Tshering Tobgay (born 1965) 1st time |
July 27, 2013 | August 9, 2018 | 5 years, 13 days | PDP | 2013 | Tobgay I | ||
| — | .JPG) |
Tshering Wangchuk (born 19??) Chief Advisor |
August 9, 2018 | November 7, 2018 | 90 days | Independent | — | Wangchuk Interim | ||
| 8 | .jpg) |
Lotay Tshering (born 1968) |
November 7, 2018 | November 1, 2023 | 4 years, 359 days | DNT | 2018 | Tshering | ||
| — |  |
Chogyal Dago Rigdzin (born 19??) Chief Advisor |
November 1, 2023 | January 28, 2024 | 88 days | Independent | — | Rigdzin Interim | ||
| (7) | |
Tshering Tobgay (born 1965) 2nd time |
January 28, 2024 | Incumbent | 1 year, 180 days | PDP | 2023–24 | Tobgay II | ||
See also
In Spanish: Primer ministro de Bután para niños
- List of rulers of Bhutan
