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| India-Pakistan |
| Bhutan king to step down by 2008 after polls |
| 2005-12-19 |
| Bhutanâs king is to hand power to his son and stage the tiny Himalayan kingdomâs first democratic elections in 2008, the state-run Kuensel newspaper reported on Sunday. In March, the Buddhist kingdom published a draft constitution that aimed to set up a two-party democracy after nearly a century of absolute monarchy put in place with British support in 1907. âI would like our people to know that the first national election to elect a government under a system of parliamentary democracy will take place in 2008,â the newspaper quoted King Jigme Singye Wangchuck as telling a public rally in the town of Trashi Yangtse. Wangchuck said his son, Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, would take over from him in 2008. âIt is my wish and prayer that during the reign of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the Palden Drukpa (Bhutan) will remain strong and glorious ... and the hopes and aspirations of our people will be fulfilled,â Wangchuck was quoted as saying. Seven years ago, Wangchuck, who became king in 1972 at the age of 16 on his fatherâs death, took a major step on the road to political reform by devolving power to a council of ministers. In 2001, he initiated the drafting of a new constitution to eventually replace a half-century-old royal decree under which Bhutan has been run. The draft calls for a two-chamber parliament - a 75-member National Assembly and a 25-member National Council. The king would remain head of state, but parliament would have the power to impeach him on a two-thirds vote. Citizens have been canvassed for their views on Wangchuckâs plans to hand powers to a council of ministers, introduce a system of two-party democracy and subject the monarchy to a confidence vote. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #2 Last year, like kings of olde, the crown prince led his army into battle against the ULFA terrorists, evicting them from bases inside the kingdom. He was wounded in one encounter. |
| Posted by: john 2005-12-19 17:29 |
| #1 We're suing the King of Bhutan for band-name infringement. It's Wangchuck? Oh. never mind, then. |
| Posted by: Wang-Chung 2005-12-19 01:12 |