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. This important person is also known as the Lyonchen (which means "chief minister" in Dzongkha, Bhutan's language).
The prime minister is chosen from the political party that wins the most votes in the National Assembly. This assembly is like Bhutan's parliament. The prime minister then leads a group of ministers called the Council of Ministers.
On April 9, 2008, Jigme Thinley became the first prime minister chosen by the people. This happened after Bhutan had its very first democratic election. The current prime minister is Tshering Tobgay, who started his role on January 28, 2024.
Contents
Who Are the Prime Ministers of Bhutan?
Bhutan has had different leaders over the years. Before the role of Prime Minister was created, there were "Chief Ministers."
Early Leaders: Chief Ministers (Gongzim)
The first leaders were called Chief Ministers, or Gongzim. They helped the King manage the country.
| No. | Picture | Name (Born–Died) |
Time in Office | King (Years of Rule) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Started | Ended | How Long | |||||
| 1 |  |
Raja Ugyen Dorji (1855–1916) |
1907 | 1916 |
c. 8–9 years | Ugyen.jpg) (1907–1926) |
|
| 2 |  |
Raja Sonam Topgay Dorji (1896–1953) |
1917 | 1952 | c. 34–35 years | ||
Jigme (1926–1952) |
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Modern Leaders: Prime Ministers (Lyonchen)
The title of Prime Minister was officially created in 1952. Since then, these leaders have guided Bhutan.
| No. | Picture | Name (Born–Died) |
Time in Office | Political Party | Election | Cabinet | King (Years of Rule) |
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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 one in office (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 (born 1952) 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 (born 1952) 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 | 2008 Thinley Cabinet | ||
| — | _2.jpg) |
Sonam Tobgye (born 1949) Chief Advisor |
April 28, 2013 | July 27, 2013 | 90 days | Independent | — | 2013 Tobgye Interim Cabinet | ||
| 7 |  |
Tshering Tobgay (born 1965) 1st time |
July 27, 2013 | August 9, 2018 | 5 years, 13 days | PDP | 2013 | 2013 Tobgay Cabinet | ||
| — | .JPG) |
Tshering Wangchuk (born 19??) Chief Advisor |
August 9, 2018 | November 7, 2018 | 90 days | Independent | — | 2018 Wangchuk Interim Cabinet | ||
| 8 | .jpg) |
Lotay Tshering (born 1968) |
November 7, 2018 | November 1, 2023 | 4 years, 359 days | DNT | 2018 | 2018 Tshering Cabinet | ||
| — |  |
Chogyal Dago Rigdzin (born 19??) Chief Advisor |
November 1, 2023 | January 28, 2024 | 88 days | Independent | — | 2023 Rigdzin Interim Cabinet | ||
| (7) | |
Tshering Tobgay (born 1965) 2nd time |
January 28, 2024 | Incumbent | 1 year, 147 days | PDP | 2023–24 | 2024 Tobgay Cabinet | ||
See also
- List of rulers of Bhutan
