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List of prime ministers of Bhutan facts for kids

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Prime Minister of Bhutan
Emblem of Bhutan.svg
Tshering Tobgay.jpg
Incumbent
Tshering Tobgay

since 28 January 2024
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 (Lyonchhen) is the head of government of Bhutan. The prime minister is nominated by the party that wins the most seats in the National Assembly (Gyelyong Tshogdu) and heads the executive cabinet, called the Council of Ministers (Lhengye Zhungtshog).

On 9 April 2008, Jigme Thinley became the first ever elected prime minister; he took office following the country's first democratic election.

The current prime minister is Tshering Tobgay, since 28 January 2024.

Prime ministers of the Kingdom of Bhutan

Chief ministers (Gongzim)

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office King
(Reign)
Took office Left office Tenure
1 Ugyen Dorji.jpg Raja
Ugyen Dorji
(1855–1916)
1907 1916
c. 8–9 years Ugyen
Ugyen Wangchuck, 1905 (cropped).jpg
(1907–1926)
2 No image.png Raja
Sonam Topgay Dorji
(1896–1953)
1917 1952 c. 34–35 years
Jigme
Bhutan-Jigme-Wangchuck.jpg
(1926–1952)

Prime ministers (Lyonchen)

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office Political party Election Cabinet King
(Reign)
Took office Left office Tenure
1 No image.png Jigme Palden Dorji
(1919–1964)
1952 6 April 1964
c. 11–12 years Independent Jigme Dorji
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (cropped).jpg
(1952–1972)
Vacant (6 April 1964–25 July 1964)
No image.png Lhendup Dorji
(1935–2007)
Acting Prime Minister
25 July 1964 27 November 1964 125 days Independent
Post Abolished (27 November 1964–20 July 1998)
Jigme Singye
4th King of Bhutan, HM Jigme Singye Wangchuck at a Royal Banquet, at the Taschichhodzong, in Thimphu, Bhutan.jpg
(1972–2006)
2 Jigme Thinley (cropped).jpg Jigme Thinley
(born 1952)
1st time
20 July 1998 9 July 1999 354 days Independent
3 Sangay Ngedup 2005.jpg Sangay Ngedup
(born 1953)
1st time
9 July 1999 20 July 2000 1 year, 11 days Independent
4 Yeshey Zimba (cropped).jpg Yeshey Zimba
(born 1952)
1st time
20 July 2000 8 August 2001 1 year, 19 days Independent
5 Khandu Wangchuk (cropped).jpg Khandu Wangchuk
(born 1950)
1st time
8 August 2001 14 August 2002 1 year, 6 days Independent
6 Prime Minister Kinzang Dorji of Bhutan (cropped).jpg Kinzang Dorji
(born 1951)
1st time
14 August 2002 30 August 2003 1 year, 16 days Independent
(2) Jigme Thinley (cropped).jpg Jigme Thinley
(born 1952)
2nd time
30 August 2003 18 August 2004 354 days Independent
(4) Yeshey Zimba (cropped).jpg Yeshey Zimba
(born 1952)
2nd time
18 August 2004 5 September 2005 1 year, 18 days Independent
(3) Sangay Ngedup 2005.jpg Sangay Ngedup
(born 1953)
2nd time
5 September 2005 7 September 2006 1 year, 2 days Independent
(5) Khandu Wangchuk (cropped).jpg Khandu Wangchuk
(born 1950)
2nd time
7 September 2006 31 July 2007 327 days Independent
Jigme Khesar Namgyel
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at the Enthronement of Naruhito.jpg
(2006–present)
(6) Prime Minister Kinzang Dorji of Bhutan (cropped).jpg Kinzang Dorji
(born 1951)
2nd time
31 July 2007 9 April 2008 253 days Independent
Democratically elected
(2) Jigme Thinley (cropped).jpg Jigme Thinley
(born 1952)
3rd time
9 April 2008 28 April 2013 5 years, 19 days DPT 2008 2008 Thinley Cabinet
Sonam Tobgye (cropped) 2.jpg Sonam Tobgye
(born 1949)
Chief Advisor
28 April 2013 27 July 2013 90 days Independent 2013 Tobgye Interim Cabinet
7 Tshering Tobgay.jpg Tshering Tobgay
(born 1965)
1st time
27 July 2013 9 August 2018 5 years, 13 days PDP 2013 2013 Tobgay Cabinet
Tshering Wangchuk (cropped).JPG Tshering Wangchuk
(born 19??)
Chief Advisor
9 August 2018 7 November 2018 90 days Independent 2018 Wangchuk Interim Cabinet
8 Prime Minister of Bhutan Dr. Lotay Tshering on December 28, 2018 (cropped).jpg Lotay Tshering
(born 1968)
7 November 2018 1 November 2023 4 years, 359 days DNT 2018 2018 Tshering Cabinet
No image.svg Chogyal Dago Rigdzin
(born 19??)
Chief Advisor
1 November 2023 28 January 2024 88 days Independent 2023 Rigdzin Interim Cabinet
(7) Tshering Tobgay.jpg Tshering Tobgay
(born 1965)
2nd time
28 January 2024 Incumbent 281 days PDP 2023–24 2024 Tobgay Cabinet

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Primer ministro de Bután para niños

  • List of rulers of Bhutan
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List of prime ministers of Bhutan Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.