President of Laos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic |
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National Emblem
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| Style | His Excellency |
| Member of |
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| Residence | Presidential Palace, Vientiane |
| Seat | Vientiane |
| Nominator | Lao People's Revolutionary Party |
| Appointer | National Assembly |
| Term length | Five years,
renewable once
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| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Laos (1991) |
| Inaugural holder | Souphanouvong |
| Formation | 2 December 1975 |
| Deputy | Vice President |
| Salary | ₭1,170,000 monthly (US$53) |
The President of Laos is the main leader of the country Laos. This person is called the head of state. The current President is Thongloun Sisoulith. He has been President since March 22, 2021.
Before becoming President, Mr. Sisoulith was chosen as the General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. This is the most powerful job in Laos. He became General Secretary in January 2021. This made him the top person in the Politburo, which is a very important group that makes decisions.
Contents
History of the President
How the Role Began
The job of President started with Prince Souphanouvong. He was the first President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Prince Souphanouvong was part of the old royal family. He was also one of the Three Princes who played a big role in the country's history.
He became President in 1975. This happened after the old Kingdom of Laos was replaced by the new People's Democratic Republic. This change took place at the end of the Laotian Civil War.
What the President Does
How Long They Serve
The National Assembly chooses the President. They serve for five years. A President can serve for a maximum of two terms in a row. To be chosen, a candidate needs at least two-thirds of the votes from the lawmakers.
Main Responsibilities
The President represents Laos both inside the country and to other nations. They make sure the government works well and stays stable. The President also protects the country's independence and its borders.
The President chooses important officials. These include the Prime Minister, the Vice President, and other ministers. The National Assembly must agree with these choices. The President is also the top leader of the Lao People's Armed Forces, which means they are the commander-in-chief.
However, Laos is a one-party communist country. This means the most powerful political job is actually the General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. The General Secretary leads the Politburo and the Secretariat. These are the main groups that make decisions in Laos. So, the General Secretary is the real leader of the country.
Since 1998, the President and the General Secretary jobs have often been held by the same person. This means the President gets most of their power from also being the General Secretary. Because Laos is a one-party state, all Presidents have been members of the ruling party while in office.
Who Has Been President?
| No. | Portrait | Name (Born–Died) |
Time in Office | Election | Prime Minister(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Started | Ended | Total Time | |||||
| 1 |  |
Souphanouvong ສຸພານຸວົງ (1909–1995) |
December 2, 1975 | October 29, 1986 | 10 years, 331 days | None | Kaysone Phomvihane |
| – |  |
Phoumi Vongvichit ພູມີ ວົງວິຈິດ (1909–1994) Acting |
October 29, 1986 | August 15, 1991 | 4 years, 290 days | None | |
| 2 |  |
Kaysone Phomvihane ໄກສອນ ພົມວິຫານ (1920–1992) |
August 15, 1991 | November 21, 1992 | 1 year, 98 days | 1991 | Khamtai Siphandone |
| 3 |  |
Nouhak Phoumsavanh ໜູຮັກ ພູມສະຫວັນ (1910–2008) |
November 25, 1992 | February 24, 1998 | 5 years, 91 days | None | |
| 4 | .jpg) |
Khamtai Siphandone ຄຳໄຕ ສີພັນດອນ (1924–2025) |
February 24, 1998 | June 8, 2006 | 8 years, 104 days | 1996 | Sisavath Keobounphanh |
| 2001 | Bounnhang Vorachit | ||||||
| 5 |  |
Choummaly Sayasone ຈູມມະລີ ໄຊຍະສອນ (born 1936) |
June 8, 2006 | April 20, 2016 | 9 years, 317 days | 2006 | Bouasone Bouphavanh |
| 2011 | Thongsing Thammavong | ||||||
| 6 | .jpg) |
Bounnhang Vorachit ບຸນຍັງ ວໍລະຈິດ (born 1937) |
April 20, 2016 | March 22, 2021 | 4 years, 336 days | 2016 | Thongloun Sisoulith |
| 7 | _01.jpg) |
Thongloun Sisoulith ທອງລຸນ ສີສຸລິດ (born 1945) |
March 22, 2021 | Incumbent | 4 years, 123 days | 2021 | Phankham Viphavanh |
| Sonexay Siphandone | |||||||
Timeline of Presidents
See also
In Spanish: Presidente de Laos para niños
- List of monarchs of Laos
- Prime Minister of Laos
- Vice President of Laos
