What Kind of Government Does Bhutan Have?

Bhutan’s government is a democratic constitutional monarchy. For many years, it was an absolute monarchy. The fourth king of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, formed a Council of Ministers in 1999 before abdicating in favor of his son in December 2006.

The fourth king also announced that Bhutan would hold elections in 2008. In fact, elections for the Upper House were held in 2007, a few months after the king removed the ban on political parties. Bhutan’s constitution was adopted in 2008.

As of 2014, Bhutan’s head of state is its fifth king, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck. The Prime Minister is Tshering Tobgay of the People’s Democratic Party.

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